Trump secures $2 trillion in Gulf deals During high-stakes middle east tour

President Donald Trump wrapped up a high-profile tour of the Middle East with a visit to the United Arab Emirates, after stops in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, focusing on securing major business agreements and strengthening ties with Gulf leaders, according to CNN. The trip began in Saudi Arabia, where Trump was welcomed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and attended a state banquet alongside top U.S. business leaders and officials. The Saudi government, eager to modernize its military and economy, saw Trump as a transactional leader willing to make deals that could benefit both nations.

The visit was marked by the signing of significant defense and investment agreements, highlighting a shift from the previous administration’s more cautious approach to arms sales in the region. CNN notes that Trump’s approach was less focused on human rights concerns and more on economic cooperation and mutual security interests, with the Saudis committing to large-scale investments and purchases from the United States. 

According to NPR, the second leg of Trump’s journey in Qatar included meetings with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, where the focus remained on military cooperation and regional security. The U.S. maintains its largest military base in the Middle East in Qatar, making the country a key partner for American strategic interests. NPR mentions that Trump’s discussions included efforts to ease sanctions on Syria and to promote a ceasefire in Gaza, reflecting the complex diplomatic environment of the region.

The Qatari government announced a $243.5 billion economic deal with the U.S., including a major purchase of Boeing jets, further cementing the economic partnership between the two nations. NPR highlights that Trump’s approach to the Gulf states was marked by his willingness to negotiate large-scale investments and defense agreements, with less emphasis on political or humanitarian issues. The visit to Qatar also underscored the importance of the U.S.-Qatar alliance in maintaining regional stability and advancing American interests in the Gulf.

The Washington Post notes that Trump concluded his four-day tour in the UAE, where he was received with high honors by President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The UAE pledged a $1.4 trillion investment strategy for the U.S. over the next decade, targeting sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, energy, and manufacturing. The Washington Post reports that Trump announced $200 billion in new commercial deals during his Abu Dhabi visit, bringing total investment agreements from the Gulf states to over $2 trillion.

The deals included commitments from major Emirati companies to invest in American technology and infrastructure, as well as plans for joint ventures in advanced manufacturing and defense. The Washington Post mentions that Trump’s visit to the UAE marked the first by a U.S. president in nearly two decades and was seen as a major step in deepening economic and security ties between the two countries.

Sources:

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-middle-east-news-05-14-25

https://www.npr.org/2025/05/13/1250902346/president-trumps-trip-to-the-middle-east

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/13/trump-middle-east-saudi-arabia-qatar-uae/