Trump ends money-spinning Gulf tour with trillion-dollar investment announcement

Abu Dhabi, UAE - President Donald Trump on Friday ended his Gulf tour in Abu Dhabi after overseeing the signing of another raft of multi-billion-dollar deals, while also securing a $1.4-trillion investment pledge from the UAE.

US President Donald Trump announced a $1.4-trillion investment pledge from the UAE during a trip to Abu Dhabi.
US President Donald Trump announced a $1.4-trillion investment pledge from the UAE during a trip to Abu Dhabi.  © REUTERS

The eye-watering amounts of money in investments were accompanied also by the lifting of decades-long sanctions on Syria and renewed optimism over an Iran nuclear deal during the multi-day trip across the Gulf.

On his first foreign tour of his second term, Trump oversaw a $200 billion order from Qatar Airways for Boeing jets and a $600 billion investment from Saudi Arabia – including nearly $142 billion in weapons, which the White House described as the largest-ever arms deal.

"I'm just thinking we have a president of the United States doing the selling," Trump quipped, during a business roundtable alongside Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed.

Kristi Noem quietly requests a new private jet amid Trump's Qatar plane scandal
Politicians Kristi Noem quietly requests a new private jet amid Trump's Qatar plane scandal

"I think I have to be a cheerleader for our country," he added.

Following the business roundtable, the president briefly toured the Abrahamic Family House, a complex opened in 2023 that houses a mosque, church, and the country's first official synagogue – and then departed the country on Air Force One.

On Thursday, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed lauded the strong partnership between the two countries that grew under Trump's leadership and vowed to invest $1.4 trillion in the US economy over 10 years.

The White House said the two countries had also signed business deals worth more than $200 billion, including a $60 billion partnership with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and a $14.5 billion Etihad Airways order of Boeing planes.

"You're an amazing country. You're a rich country. You can have your choice, but I know you'll never leave my side," Trump said after the $1.4 trillion announcement Thursday, addressing the UAE president.

"That's your biggest investment that you've ever made, and we really appreciate it," he added saying he will treat the UAE "magnificently" and that Sheikh Mohamed was "a magnificent man, and it's an honor to be with you".

Trump warns Iran: "Something bad is going to happen"

Trump was showered with gifts during his trip across the Middle East.
Trump was showered with gifts during his trip across the Middle East.  © REUTERS

The White House also said both countries inked an AI agreement that will see the UAE invest in US data centers and commit to "further align their national security regulations with the United States, including strong protections to prevent the diversion of US-origin technology".

The UAE is seeking to become a leader in technology and especially artificial intelligence to help diversify its oil-reliant economy.

But these ambitions hinge on access to advanced US technologies, including AI chips under stringent export restrictions, which the UAE president's brother and spy chief Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed reportedly lobbied for during a Washington visit in March.

Trump presses Putin to attend Ukraine talks in Turkey with new offer
Donald Trump Trump presses Putin to attend Ukraine talks in Turkey with new offer

Earlier this week, Trump rescinded further controls on AI chips, which were imposed by his predecessor to make it harder for China to access advanced technology.

Before taking off from Abu Dhabi, Trump said that Iran should make a quick decision on an American proposal for a nuclear deal or face potential consequences.

"They know they have to move quickly or something bad is going to happen," Trump told reporters.

Cover photo: REUTERS

More on Donald Trump: