Qatar has announced a significant $1.2 trillion economic pledge during a recent visit from former U.S. President Donald Trump, marking a strategic move in the realm of international finance. This announcement was made in Doha, where the two parties finalized several key agreements, including a remarkable $96 billion plan by Qatar Airways to acquire up to 210 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft.

As reported by Bloomberg, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) revealed plans to invest $500 billion into the U.S. economy over the next decade. This substantial amount aligns closely with the fund’s current assets under management, which total approximately $524 billion. QIA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Al Sowaidi, noted that the fund will target sectors such as artificial intelligence and healthcare, reflecting a commitment to support U.S. reindustrialization efforts. Al Sowaidi stated that the current U.S. policy environment provides a “more promising direction” for long-term capital.

Al Sowaidi’s remarks were among his first since taking over leadership of the QIA late last year. The Qatar Economic Forum, taking place this week, is expected to shed more light on the nation’s investment strategies, featuring prominent figures from various industries, including Trump’s son, Eric, and Tesla’s Elon Musk. This annual investment conference is particularly timely, as Qatar seeks to ramp up its natural gas output, projected to add more than $30 billion annually to state revenues, which will benefit the sovereign wealth fund.

In addition to the economic pledge, Trump’s tour included a stop in Saudi Arabia, where he and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced a pledge for $1 trillion in commercial deals. However, this ambitious plan may encounter challenges due to Saudi Arabia’s own extensive investment needs, which are estimated to require nearly $2 trillion.

In the UAE, Trump reported $200 billion in deals encompassing sectors such as AI, energy, and aluminum, further building on an Emirati pledge to invest $1.4 trillion in the U.S. over the next decade. This investment includes significant contributions to AI infrastructure and advanced manufacturing, part of an agreement established during a meeting with UAE national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

As Qatar navigates these economic developments, it aims to enhance its position in the competitive regional financial landscape, as evidenced by the increasing interest from global firms. Eduardo Saverin’s B Capital recently announced plans to open an office in Qatar, while BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners also confirmed its move to Doha, signaling a growing trend of international investment in the region.