‘Qatar a strategic partner on global peace, security’
— John Desrocher, US Chargé d’Affaires
John Desrocher, the newly appointed US Chargé d’Affaires to Qatar, has hailed Qatar’s leadership and mediation to promote peace and reconciliation in the region and beyond.
In an interview with Arabic daily
Arrayah, Desrocher pledged to continue building bridges between Qataris and Americans across many sectors including education, military, trade, and investment.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: You have a wide and profound knowledge of the Arab World and served in Iraq, Egypt, Algeria. Could you tell us more about yourself, what was your impression being appointed as the head of mission to Qatar and how did you find it here so far?
A: Thank you for the invitation to speak with you on the United States’ Independence Day. While I indeed have served in much of the Arab world, my experience in Qatar until now has been limited to a short visit a few years ago. I’m delighted to be able to return for a more substantial stay and work with my Qatari counterparts on our many areas of common interest. I’m grateful for the warm welcome I have received from everyone I have met.
What is your assessment of Qatar-US bilateral relations and what is special about these relations in your opinion?
The Qatar-US bilateral relationship is strong. We work closely together on many issues, and we appreciate Qatar’s constructive role in addressing regional crises and promoting regional stability. After nearly 50 years of friendship and partnership, the US embassy continues to build bridges between Qataris and Americans across many sectors including education, military, trade, and investment.
How strategic is the US-Qatar partnership in maintaining peace and security regionally and internationally, Gaza de-escalation, dialogue with Iran, fighting extremism and terrorism, and climate change as well?
The United States views Qatar as a strategic partner on a range of issues related to international peace and security. Just a few days ago, Secretary
Blinken met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in Rome. The two discussed regional security and building international support for humanitarian efforts in Gaza. The United States lauds Qatar’s leadership and mediation to promote peace and reconciliation in the region and beyond. On climate change, we welcome that Qatar’s energy authorities have joined ours along with the energy ministries of Canada, Norway, and Saudi Arabia to launch the new Net Zero Producers Forum, which is dedicated to developing long-term strategies for energy producing countries to reach global net zero emissions.
With your experience in international trade, how do you see the progress achieved in the economic relations, trade volume and mutual investments between the two countries?
I have spent my career deepening economic relations between my country and partners around the world. In Doha, much of this work has already been done. Our countries have extensive economic ties and the USQatar trade relationship is growing.
The annual trade between our two countries was worth more than $8 billion before the pandemic. US firms are leading partners for Qatar’s oil and gas industry. In addition to energy, US companies are active in defence, aviation, high tech, healthcare, food, and construction. We import a great deal from Qatar as well, but there is room to grow. Finding that growth will be the focus of my time here.
How much is the US investment in Qatar and in which sectors, how many American companies work here and how attractive are Qatar’s recent economic legislation, labour reforms to the American businessmen?
The US private sector’s engagement in Qatar is extensive. The United States remains Qatar’s largest foreign direct investor and its largest source of imports. There are over 120 US companies operating here.
On labour reforms, much work remains to be done but we recognise the significant reforms of the past few years, including the creation of Labour Dispute Resolution Committees, elimination of exit permit requirements for migrant workers, implementation of a minimum wage, and abolition of the No Objection Certificate. Just last week, my government recognised Mohamed al-Obaidly, Assistant Undersecretary of the Qatari Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, with an award for his leadership in spurring reforms to the sponsorship system and addressing labour issues in Qatar.
What would you say to the American community here, how many are they, sectors of work and their role in enhancing the relations?
This is an exciting year for the nearly 17,000 Americans living in Qatar as we celebrate the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture. Big events are coming up in the fall that we invite the American community and all residents of Qatar to attend, for example, the Qatar-USA Festival, which will take place in November and will include live music, film screenings, cooking demonstrations, and performance art. The past year and a half have been challenging for everyone.
The American community here has been resilient. Our embassy held a virtual town hall with American citizens back in the spring, and we will continue to conduct this type of outreach. Our citizens and institutions are ambassadors of American culture and values, and they are the foundation of the close relations between our countries.