Boeing has emerged as a key winner during President Donald Trump’s splashy Gulf tour after the US plane-maker and GE Aerospace struck a $96 billion deal with Qatar Airways for up to 210 jets on May 14 — the largest order in the American aerospace giant’s history. 

Alongside Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg at the signing ceremony in Doha, Trump touted the deal’s significance. “That's a record, Kelly, and congratulations to Boeing. Get those planes out there, get them out there," said Trump. The latter comment also hints at the company’s recent struggles to deliver aircraft — delays that have frustrated the US president and major Gulf customers alike. 

Regardless, Trump’s swing through Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates May 13-16 has already helped beleaguered Boeing reverse a string of negative headlines in the Middle East. The blockbuster order from Qatar Airways for widebody jets came a day after the US company also won another deal in Riyadh, where Saudi-backed global aircraft leasing firm AviLease announced an order for up to 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Upon leaving Qatar, dealmaking continued in the UAE, where Boeing and GE Aerospace secured a $14.5 billion commitment from Etihad Airways for 28 aircraft of the 787 and 777X variants. 

That said, Trump’s Saudi stopover also stood out for what it did not feature: a new deal from the kingdom’s startup airline, Riyadh Air, which has been planning a sizable jet deal in 2025 after placing an order with Airbus late last year. Regardless, these new Gulf deals offer a much-needed boost for the company. The crisis-plagued American plane-maker, which reported a nearly $12 billion loss last year, is trying to recover from a tumultuous period marked by deadly disasters, production delays, quality control issues and customer dissatisfaction.