U.S. and Qatar announce trade partnership over $1 trillion

President Donald Trump and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani hailed a deepening economic and diplomatic partnership on Tuesday, spotlighting Qatar’s pivotal role in brokering a recent U.S.-Iran agreement and announcing a massive trade partnership expected to exceed one trillion dollars. The leaders met on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Evian, France.

Trump praised the Qatari leader as a fantastic man and a close friend, crediting Doha with crucial mediation efforts that helped secure a Memorandum of Understanding to end the recent war between the United States and Iran. He said working with Qatar was a pleasure and described its officials as tough and strong, noting the country’s proximity to Iran placed it in a more dangerous position during the conflict.

The U.S.-Iran deal, which followed weeks of intense negotiations, is scheduled for a formal signing in Switzerland on Friday. Qatar entered the mediating process in May after earlier efforts led by Pakistan reached a deadlock. Veteran Qatari diplomats undertook secret trips to Tehran, engaging in what was described as frantic, last-minute diplomacy to revive the talks. Their involvement proved decisive...