President Donald Trump, during his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday, announced over $200 billion in new deals between the two nations, including a landmark agreement to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI). The visit capped his three-nation Gulf tour, which also included Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Following a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the White House detailed major business and technology partnerships, including a $14.5 billion aircraft order by Etihad Airways for Boeing jets powered by GE Aerospace engines.
AI and Tech Cooperation:
Trump and Sheikh Mohamed also unveiled a 5-gigawatt AI campus, which will become the largest AI hub outside the U.S. A centerpiece of the visit was the signing of the U.S.–UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, which includes:
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A commitment by the UAE to invest in U.S.-based data centers with capabilities matching or exceeding those in the UAE.
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Import of 500,000 advanced Nvidia AI chips annually, per a prior agreement reported by Reuters.
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UAE pledging to align its national security regulations with U.S. standards to prevent the diversion of AI technology to adversarial nations, particularly China.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was seen in discussions with the leaders during the announcement.
Additional Economic Deals:
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Emirates Global Aluminum to build a $4 billion aluminum smelter in Oklahoma.
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$60 billion energy cooperation between UAE’s ADNOC and U.S. firms ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum, and EOG Resources.
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A reaffirmation of the UAE’s $1.4 trillion, 10-year U.S. investment commitment, originally announced by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed.
Broader Diplomatic and Regional Impact:
Trump’s visit follows major deals in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, including:
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$600 billion Saudi commitment to invest in the U.S.
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Qatar Airways’ deal to buy up to 210 Boeing widebody aircraft
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$142 billion in U.S. arms sales to the Saudi kingdom
Trump also used the trip to announce diplomatic shifts:
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A potential nuclear deal with Iran reportedly near completion
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Sanctions lifted on Syria, with a meeting held with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa
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Encouragement for Syrian-Israeli normalization
Trump framed his Gulf tour as a strategic effort to solidify U.S. influence and transform the Middle East into a third global power center in AI, alongside the U.S. and China.