In a whirlwind four-day tour through Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, President Donald Trump was met with extraordinary pageantry, striking economic deals, and lavish praise by Gulf leaders eager to solidify ties with Washington. As Trump said aboard Air Force One, “They don’t want a fist bump. They want to shake his hand.”
The trip, described by officials as a “historic economic diplomacy offensive,” produced promises of trillions in trade, tech, and defence agreements — along with geopolitical shockwaves that may ripple across the Middle East for years to come.
SAUDI ARABIA: Golden Swords, Lavender Carpets, and Syria’s Shocking New Face
President Trump’s first stop was Riyadh, where he received a royal welcome rarely afforded to foreign leaders. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman broke protocol by personally greeting Trump on the tarmac. A lavender carpet — traditionally reserved for the most elite dignitaries — led the way past golden swords, Arabian horses, and a military flyover. The centrepiece of the Saudi leg was the U.S.-Saudi Investment Summit at the Ritz-Carlton, where the two nations announced a staggering $600 billion investment pledge. Projects include AI data centers, health tech ventures, infrastructure development, and the largest arms deal in history — a $142 billion weapons agreement.
“The Gulf has always gotten along better with business-first presidents, and President Trump fits that mold perfectly,” said Tarik Solomon of the American Chamber of Commerce. But the most surprising moment came with Trump’s meeting with Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, once labeled a terrorist by the U.S. A former al-Qaeda affiliate turned political leader, al-Sharaa has emerged from the shadows of Syria’s civil war to become a central figure in a new regional power shift. “I think he’s got the potential,” Trump said of al-Sharaa, as the U.S. announced it would lift economic sanctions on Syria.
QATAR: Camels, Cybertrucks, and a $1.2 Trillion Economic Exchange
In Doha, opulence met modernity as Trump’s motorcade was flanked by Tesla Cybertrucks and camel riders, reflecting the nation’s fusion of tradition and tech. At the Amiri Diwan, Qatar’s presidential palace, Trump marveled at the architecture, calling the marble columns “perfecto.” More than aesthetic admiration was on offer: Trump and Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani inked a $1.2 trillion economic exchange package.
Among the headline deals:
- Qatar Airways’ purchase of 210 Boeing jets valued at $96 billion — the largest Dreamliner order ever.
- Investment commitments in U.S. energy, semiconductors, and education sectors.
“This is the biggest trade pact in our history with Qatar,” a senior U.S. trade official said. “It will support over a million American jobs across the next decade.” Trump also floated a nuclear deal with Iran, noting that Tehran had “sort of” agreed to halt uranium enrichment. Though details remain scarce, a senior Iranian official reportedly confirmed “encouraging progress” in negotiations.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: AI Ambitions and a Golden Welcome
Trump’s final stop was the UAE, where Abu Dhabi pulled out all the stops. A camel parade, children waving U.S. flags, and traditional Al-Ayyala dancers greeted Trump at Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace. Crowning the visit was Trump receiving the Order of Zayed, the UAE’s highest civilian honour, from President Mohammed bin Zayed.
The focus in the UAE was firmly on artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. The UAE signed a groundbreaking agreement to import up to 500,000 Nvidia H100 chips annually, enabling the country to build cutting-edge AI data centres. A 10-year, $1.4 trillion investment framework was also reaffirmed, focusing on AI, energy, and advanced manufacturing in the U.S. “We want to be the global hub for AI, and the U.S. is our top partner,” MBZ said. Trump praised the Grand Mosque and emphasized the cultural and economic bond: “This is an incredible culture. We’re proud of our friends here.”
Policy Flashpoints: Gaza, Iran, Ukraine
Amid the spectacle, Trump made time for serious policy pronouncements:
- On Gaza, he acknowledged widespread hunger, calling the situation “terrible,” and reiterated his vision to transform the region into a “freedom zone.”
- On Iran, he teased the possibility of a historic nuclear pact.
- And though a much-anticipated peace summit in Turkey between Russia and Ukraine faltered due to Vladimir Putin’s absence, Trump hinted at personal involvement in future talks: “Nothing’s going to happen until Putin and I get together.”
The Verdict
While critics question the feasibility of the multi-trillion-dollar pledges, especially amid falling oil revenues, analysts say the pageantry served a strategic purpose. “In this region, signalling ambition is half the game,” said Solomon. “Even if only 50% of the deals materialize, it’s still a geopolitical win.” Taufiq Rahim, author of Trump 2.5: A Primer, summed it up: “Trump’s trip reflects the increasing personalization of geopolitics. The Gulf’s leaders know how to charm a man like Trump — and for now, it’s paying off.” Whether the promises stick or fade into the gold-plated décor of Gulf palaces remains to be seen. But for four days in May, President Trump was the undisputed prom king of the Persian Gulf.
