While Trump administration has taken a more vocal stand over Qatar’s activities, the latter continues to needle the White House administration.

It has again violating the Open Skies Agreement. Qatar has recently bought a large ownership stake in Air Italy. This move has allowed the carrier to launch multiple flights into the U.S. in direct competition with American carriers.

This move might fit Qatar’s pattern of directing government subsidized flight capacity at the U.S. But it will drive off American competition and remains in violation of its agreement with the United States.

U.S. air carriers (unfortunately) don’t have the luxury of receiving government funding and they need to make a profit.

The Open Skies agreement was designed to stop countries like Qatar from flooding American markets with government backed airline service which ultimately threatens the very existence of the U.S. airline industry.

The forthcoming July 9 meeting will be presenting Trump with an opportunity to raise significant concerns with the Emir. These could also include one of the most significant topics of terror financing, something that has been severely criticized by Qatar’s Arab neighbours and lead to the former’s embargo.

So topics might include Qatar’s ongoing support of international terrorism, Qatar’s blatant disregard of fair-trade policies designed to protect American airline workers, and Qatar’s sad record of human rights abuses, and much more.

The message is clear- the patience of the world is running out and this small oil rich country is walking on thin ice.