President Donald Trump’s first major foreign trip of his second term took him to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, where he was greeted with lavish ceremonies and high-stakes business negotiations. The UAE visit, which wrapped up on May 16, 2025, stood out for its focus on cutting-edge technology and massive investments. Trump, accompanied by an entourage of American tech and business leaders, including Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, Amazon’s Andy Jassy, and OpenAI’s Sam Altman, announced deals totaling over $200 billion, with a significant portion dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies.
The White House described the agreements as a “historic collaboration” that strengthens America’s economy while fostering stability in the Middle East. These deals are part of a broader $2 trillion in investment pledges secured across the Gulf region, including a $600 billion commitment from Saudi Arabia and a $1.2 trillion economic exchange with Qatar.
The centerpiece of the UAE agreements is a $200 billion package of commercial deals, which spans multiple industries, including AI, aviation, energy, and manufacturing. Here are the key components:
The U.S. and UAE have agreed to establish a “US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership,” a framework designed to boost the UAE’s ambitions to become a global AI hub. This partnership includes a “very big contract” for the UAE to purchase advanced AI chips from U.S. companies, such as Nvidia, which will power a massive new 5-gigawatt AI campus in Abu Dhabi. Spanning 10 square miles, this facility, developed by UAE-based firm G42 in collaboration with American tech giants like Nvidia, Cisco, Oracle, and OpenAI, is set to be the largest AI data center outside the U.S.
“This will generate billions and billions of dollars in business and accelerate the UAE’s plans to become a really major player in artificial intelligence,” Trump said during his visit. The deal also includes safeguards to prevent U.S. technology from being diverted to adversaries like China, addressing concerns raised by some U.S. officials.
A significant portion of the $200 billion package involves a $14.5 billion commitment from Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, to purchase 28 Boeing 777x aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines. This deal is expected to support thousands of jobs in the U.S. and strengthen the aerospace sector. It also builds on the UAE’s growing role as a global aviation hub.
The agreements include a $60 billion energy partnership between the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and U.S. companies like ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum, and EOG Resources. This collaboration aims to expand oil and natural gas production, which could help lower energy costs in both countries. Additionally, Emirates Global Aluminum will invest $4 billion in a new aluminum smelter project in Oklahoma, marking one of the first new smelters in the U.S. in nearly half a century.
The UAE has also pledged $1.4 trillion over the next decade to invest in U.S. technology and infrastructure, building on agreements initially brokered in March 2025. While the specifics of this massive pledge remain unclear, it signals the UAE’s long-term commitment to deepening economic ties with the U.S.
The agreements mark a significant shift in U.S.-Middle East relations, prioritizing economic partnerships over traditional security-focused diplomacy. Trump’s approach, often described as “broker-in-chief,” leverages his business background to secure investments that promise to create jobs and boost innovation in the U.S. The AI partnership, in particular, positions the U.S. as a leader in the global AI race while helping the UAE diversify its economy beyond oil.
For the UAE, these deals align with its Vision 2030 strategy to become a global leader in technology and innovation. The new AI campus in Abu Dhabi, supported by American tech giants, will enhance the UAE’s computing capacity and attract talent from around the world. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s president, emphasized the mutual benefits, stating, “This friendship will benefit both our countries and peoples.”
While the deals have been celebrated by many, they’ve also sparked concerns in Washington. Some U.S. officials worry that exporting advanced AI chips to the Gulf could risk technology transfers to China, given the region’s economic ties with Beijing. The Biden administration had previously restricted such exports, but Trump’s agreements loosen those controls, with assurances that the UAE will align its national security regulations with the U.S. to prevent leaks.
Democratic lawmakers have criticized the deals, arguing that they lack “credible security assurances” to protect U.S. technology. Meanwhile, some analysts question the feasibility of the massive investment pledges, noting that memorandums of understanding are not always binding and may not fully materialize.
Another point of contention is Trump’s announcement that Qatar offered a luxury jet as a “gift” for use as a temporary Air Force One. Critics have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, especially given Trump’s expanding business ventures in the region. However, Trump dismissed these concerns, calling the gesture “great.”
Trump’s Middle East tour wasn’t just about business. He also made headlines by announcing plans to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria, signaling a shift in U.S. foreign policy. Additionally, he discussed a proposal with Iran regarding its nuclear program, though no concrete agreement was reached. These moves suggest Trump is aiming to reshape U.S. engagement in the region, focusing on economic leverage and pragmatic diplomacy.
The trip also highlighted the Gulf’s growing role in the global AI landscape. Saudi Arabia’s deals with AMD and Amazon, coupled with Qatar and Kuwait’s own AI investments, point to a regional push to become an AI powerhouse. This could have far-reaching implications for global technology markets, with U.S. companies like Nvidia and AMD poised to benefit significantly.
As Trump returns to Washington, the focus will shift to implementing these agreements. The U.S. Department of Commerce will play a key role in approving the AI chip exports and ensuring compliance with security protocols. Meanwhile, businesses like Boeing, Nvidia, and ExxonMobil are expected to see a boost from the influx of Gulf investments.
For American workers, the deals promise new opportunities in aerospace, energy, and tech. The Oklahoma aluminum smelter, for example, could create hundreds of skilled jobs. However, the success of these agreements will depend on their execution and whether the ambitious investment pledges translate into tangible results.
President Trump’s Middle East tour has delivered a bold vision for U.S.-Gulf relations, with the $200 billion UAE deals marking a significant milestone. The AI partnership, in particular, signals a new era of collaboration in a field that’s reshaping the global economy. While challenges remain, including security concerns and questions about the deals’ long-term impact, the agreements reflect Trump’s deal-making approach to foreign policy. As the U.S. and UAE work to bring these plans to life, the world will be watching to see if this partnership can truly transform the Middle East into an AI powerhouse while delivering on its promises for American innovation and prosperity.
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