U.S. Relations With Qatar

More information about Qatar is available on the Qatar Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.

U.S.-QATAR RELATIONS

The United States established diplomatic relations with Qatar in 1972 following its independence from the United Kingdom in 1971. Bilateral relations are strong, with the United States and Qatar coordinating closely on a wide range of regional and global issues. Qatar has played a constructive financial, political, and military role in addressing regional turmoil, and in partnership with the United States, has contributed to progress, stability, and prosperity in the region. The United States and Qatar also cooperate on security in the Persian Gulf region, notably via hosting the Al-Udeid Air Force Base and CENTCOM Forward Headquarters, and Qatar’s support of North Atlantic Treaty Organization and U.S. military operations in the region. Qatar is a major staging ground for air operations against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The United States welcomes thousands of Qataris students to study in the United States every year, and six major U.S. universities have branch campuses in Qatar. Exemplifying the strong bilateral relationship, the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture began in December 2020 and will proceed in Qatar throughout 2021 with the involvement of the Government of Qatar, the U.S. Embassy in Doha, and various cultural and academic stakeholders.

U.S. Assistance to Qatar

The United States provides no development assistance to Qatar.

Bilateral Economic Relations

The United States and Qatar have extensive economic ties. As Qatar’s largest foreign direct investor and its single largest source of imports, the United States has developed a robust trade relationship with Qatar, with over 120 U.S companies operating in country. U.S. exports to Qatar increased by 47.7% from 2018 to 2019, totaling $6.5 billion in 2019.  The United States is a leading equipment supplier and partner for Qatar’s oil and gas industry, and U.S. companies have played a significant role in the development of the oil and gas sector. In addition to energy, U.S. companies also performed well in export sales to Qatar’s defense, aviation, ICT, healthcare, food, and engineering/construction sectors. U.S. imports from Qatar include liquefied natural gas, aluminum, fertilizers, and sulfur. The United States and Qatar signed a trade and investment framework agreement and participate in annual bilateral Strategic Dialogues. Qatar announced a plan to invest $45 billion in the United States, in addition to billions of dollars’ worth of military and aviation, energy, and ICT contracts.

Qatar’s Membership in International Organizations

Qatar and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Qatar is an observer to the Organization of American States.

Bilateral Representation

Principal embassy officials are listed in the Department’s Key Officers List.

Qatar maintains an embassy in the United States at 2555 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037 (tel. 202-274-1600).

More information about Qatar is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

CIA World Factbook Qatar Page 
U.S. Embassy
History of U.S. Relations With Qatar
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Country Page 
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics 
Export.gov International Offices Page 
Library of Congress Country Studies
Travel Information