Trump in the Gulf: $2 Trillion Deals & a New U.S. Playbook
From petrodollars to power moves—Trump’s Gulf tour redefines America’s strategic calculus.
United States President Donald J. Trump meticulously orchestrated a consequential diplomatic engagement with the three nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), between May 13 and May 16, 2025. This visit, the first major international engagement of his second presidential term, sought to bolster economic partnerships through agreements that exceeded $2 trillion.
The investments spanned defense, artificial intelligence (AI), and energy sectors, while simultaneously addressing regional challenges such as the Gaza conflict and Iran’s nuclear aspirations. A heralding overhaul of America’s regional strategy was marked as Trump asserted the rescission of sanctions on Syria.
However, the visit sparked several points of acrimony. The gifting of a Boeing 747-8, valued at $400 million, gave rise to ethical debates among Trump’s opponents and supporters. Additional scrutiny surrounded the Trump Organization's entrenched business ties in the Gulf, the exclusion of Israel from the tour, and the Trump administration’s decision to bar news outlets from traveling on Air Force One, prompting a formal objection from the White House Correspondents’ Association.
Trump’s four-day diplomatic engagement in the Gulf unfolded with high-stakes negotiations and ceremonial displays. The itinerary was specifically designed to capitalize on the strategic importance of these GCC nations, blending notable economic agreements, pivotal policy announcements, and intricate diplomatic maneuvers.
Throughout the visit, Trump’s economic interests in the Gulf garnered scrutiny, including real estate deals in Saudi Arabia, a $5.5 billion golf course project in Qatar, and a billion-dollar tower development in Dubai. These projects raised questions about whether business interests influenced governmental decisions, fueling demands for greater transparency in U.S. overseas operations.
Saudi Arabia: Strategic Firepower and Economic Might
President Trump began his tour in Riyadh on May 13, 2025, where he was greeted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with a display of Saudi F-15 fighters escorting his plane, a symbolic gesture reflecting the robust U.S.-Saudi military relationship.
At the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, held at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Centre, Trump unveiled a massive $600 billion investment deal. This included a $142 billion arms package featuring cutting-edge missiles, radar systems, and aircraft from American companies like Lockheed Martin and Boeing. Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s DataVolt committed $20 billion to U.S. energy infrastructure and data centers, while U.S. firms pledged $2 billion toward Saudi projects like the King Salman International Airport, King Salman Park, and Qiddiya.
This arrangement aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a bold initiative to diversify its economy, which powers 17% of the world’s oil supply. The arms deal supports joint U.S.-Saudi efforts to counter Iran’s regional influence, prompting Iran to issue statements condemning the militarization as a threat to regional stability. Trump described Iran as “the most destructive force” in the Middle East and warned that the U.S. would never allow it to obtain a nuclear weapon, though he expressed openness to a new nuclear deal if Iran’s leadership changed course.
During a Gulf Cooperation Council conference, Trump declared the United States would remove sanctions on Syria, a move influenced by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Saudi Arabia’s efforts to reconstruct the war-torn nation. This also opened the door for Gulf investment in Syria, with Saudi Arabia committing initial funds for infrastructure projects, although its complicated relationship with Iran may hinder smooth integration.
On the sidelines, Trump also held an informal meeting with Syria’s temporary President Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss Syria's potential admission into the Abraham Accords, signaling a renewed U.S. strategic thinking in the region.
Qatar: Aviation Deals and Diplomatic Breakthroughs
On May 14, 2025, President Trump arrived in Doha, where Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani welcomed him with a magnificent cavalry parade and a fleet of red Tesla Cybertrucks, a nod to Qatar’s vision of modernity.
At a session of official talks held in the Amiri Diwan, Trump announced a staggering $1.2 trillion economic agreement. The highlight was a $96 billion Qatar Airways order for 210 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 777X jetliners, a deal expected to sustain 154,000 American jobs annually. Controversy erupted when Qatar provided a $400 million Boeing 747-8 for temporary use as Air Force One, which is set to join Trump’s presidential library foundation after the term. This stirred ethical debates under the Foreign Emoluments Clause.
At Al-Udeid Air Base, home to roughly 8,000 U.S. troops, Trump pledged significant pay raises, earning roaring applause from the military audience. During a state dinner, he praised Qatar’s role in easing the Israel-Hamas crisis, notably the release of American hostage Edan Alexander, and its efforts in de-escalating tensions with Iran.
The strengthened U.S.-Qatar partnership, rooted in the strategic importance of Al-Udeid, also reinforces the American posture against Iran’s growing regional ambitions.
United Arab Emirates: AI Ambitions and Economic Expansion
The Gulf tour concluded with a two-day visit to Abu Dhabi on May 15 and 16, 2025. Upon his arrival, President Trump was received by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Qasr Al Watan and awarded the UAE’s highest civilian honor - Order of Zayed.
Trump announced a $1.4 trillion investment pledge over the next decade, including $200 billion in immediate deals. Key agreements included a $14.5 billion Etihad Airways order for 28 Boeing aircraft, a $4 billion Emirates Global Aluminium smelter project in Oklahoma, and $60 billion in oil and gas contracts involving ExxonMobil and ADNOC.
A standout feature was the U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, which includes the annual export of 500,000 Nvidia AI chips and the creation of a 5GW AI campus in Abu Dhabi. This partnership cements the UAE’s position as a global tech hub and aligns its infrastructure with U.S. technical norms, drawing concern from China, which publicly criticized its restricted access to the UAE’s tech market.
Cultural tours of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Abrahamic Family House highlighted the UAE’s commitment to religious tolerance under the 2020 Abraham Accords. Deepened U.S.-UAE ties in defense and technology further enhanced the UAE’s regional security posture, while Iran labeled the developments as dangerously escalatory.
Conclusion: A Recalibrated U.S. Strategy in the Middle East
President Trump’s Gulf tour from May 13 to 16, 2025, marked a pathbreaking moment for U.S. foreign policy, forging closer economic and geopolitical ties with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. The tour resulted in approximately $2 trillion in deals spanning defense, aviation, and emerging technologies, reinforcing the Gulf’s critical role in advancing American strategic goals.
Major announcements, including the removal of sanctions on Syria, active engagement in the Gaza situation, and renewed pressure on Iran’s nuclear program, signaled a recalibrated approach. The tour also triggered regional ripple effects: Israel faced diminished leverage in Gaza diplomacy; Iran condemned the burgeoning U.S.-Gulf military relationships; China criticized U.S. dominance in Gulf technology infrastructure; and Syria welcomed potential economic rejuvenation through Gulf investments.
As discussions surrounding Gaza and Iran continue to shape the region’s geopolitical balance, these expanded U.S.-Gulf alliances are poised to be pivotal players in the next phase of Middle Eastern affairs.
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