U.S. Embassy in Qatar

The United States established diplomatic relations with Qatar in 1972 following its independence from the United Kingdom. Bilateral relations are strong, with the United States and Qatar coordinating closely on a wide range of regional and global issues. Together, we support progress, stability and prosperity in the region. The United States and Qatar also cooperate on security in the Arabian Gulf region. The United States welcomes hundreds of Qatari students in the United States every year, and six major U.S. universities have branch campuses in Qatar. As one of Qatar’s largest foreign investors and sources of imports, the United States has developed important, long-lasting trade relationships with Qatar that continue to grow each year. The United States is the largest foreign investor in Qatar’s Oil and Gas sector. Over $5 billion in bilateral trade was concluded between the United States and Qatar in 2015. U.S. exports to Qatar include aircraft, vehicles, electrical machinery and equipment, optical and medical instruments, and pharmaceutical products. U.S. imports from Qatar include fertilizer, aluminum and liquefied natural gas. The United States-Qatar Open Skies Agreement has been in effect since 2001, and air travel between the two countries has increased nearly tenfold over the past decade. Qatari commercial relations with the United States have created thousands of American jobs. 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 a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Arab League and is an observer to the Organization of American States.