Doha: Qatar defended on Tuesday its offer of a Boeing 747-8 jet as a gift to US President Donald Trump, describing it as a 'normal thing between allies.' Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani addressed the matter during the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha, emphasizing the routine nature of such gestures among friendly nations.
According to Anadolu Agency, the luxury jet, valued at 400 million dollars, has sparked concerns regarding Qatar's intentions, with some suggesting that Doha was attempting to buy influence in Washington through its lavish gift to Trump. Addressing these concerns, Sheikh Mohammed expressed his hope that the US would view Qatar as a reliable diplomatic partner rather than a state seeking undue influence.
Reports from The New York Times indicate that Trump toured the aircraft at Palm Beach International Airport in February. His recent visit to Qatar was part of a broader Gulf tour that also included stops in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.