WASHINGTON, March 14 (Reuters) - The White House on Tuesday welcomed the "landmark" deal between Saudi Arabia and the Boeing Co (BA.N), saying it will support U.S. jobs and marked a milestone in cooperation between Saudi Arabia and American industry. Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun said in an interview the planemaker got "support from the Biden administration and from key members of Congress every step of the way... The Biden Administration has done a terrific job in moving the ball forward and was instrumental in landing this purchase." A U.S. official said the Saudi contract was a "white whale" for Boeing, something the planemaker pursued for several years. Senior U.S. officials have been in regular engagement with the Saudis over the deal, but Biden did not have any direct talks with Saudi leaders.

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