TheShoppersWeekly | May 15, 2025
It wouldn’t be a Trump world tour without something massive—and a little bit outrageous.
On his latest trip to the Middle East, former President Donald Trump unveiled more than $200 billion worth of deals between American companies and the United Arab Emirates. That alone is a headline. But what really got people talking? Trump’s plan to accept a gifted $400 million luxury jet from the government of Qatar.
Yes, you read that right.
The business deals are no joke. The crown jewel is a $14.5 billion partnership between Boeing, GE Aerospace, and Etihad Airways, which includes 28 brand-new American-made aircraft. It’s part of Etihad’s larger plan to grow its fleet and help Abu Dhabi strengthen its economy beyond oil. The planes are expected to roll out in phases, supporting U.S. manufacturing jobs and boosting exports.
But the jet? That’s where things take a turn.
According to multiple reports, Qatar has offered Trump a specially modified jumbo jet—one fit for a head of state. Trump says he’ll use it as a replacement for Air Force One during future travel and later donate it to his presidential library. He’s already brushing off criticism, saying it’s about “representing America with power and style.”
Of course, not everyone agrees. Some critics are questioning the ethics of accepting such an extravagant gift from a foreign government. But if Trump’s past has shown anything, it’s that controversy never slows him down.
Etihad, meanwhile, is focusing on business. The airline, owned by Abu Dhabi’s massive sovereign wealth fund, is expanding aggressively this year. Its CEO recently said the company wants to grow its fleet to more than 170 aircraft by 2030, with a mix of Boeing and Airbus models.
Whether you’re watching for the planes, the politics, or just the sheer spectacle of it all, one thing is certain: Trump’s Middle East trip didn’t just shake up the news cycle—it took off at full speed.
