Donald Trump's Middle East Tour (2025)

Donald Trump’s 2025 Middle East Tour is a series of diplomatic engagements undertaken by United States President Donald Trump during his second term, from 13 to 16 May 2025, covering Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The visit resulted in investment and defense agreements totaling $3.2 trillion.

_{Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia, the first destination of his Middle East tour, May 13, 2025 - Anadolu Agency}

Announced by the White House on 11 May 2025, the visit was designated as the president’s first official foreign trip of his second term. It was declared to last four days and to include the cities of Riyadh, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. The visit holds the status of a head-of-state level diplomatic mission and was conducted under official protocol in all host countries.

The primary objectives of the visit were outlined under three headings: increasing direct foreign investment from Gulf countries into the United States, establishing regional cooperation on Iran’s nuclear activities, and supporting efforts toward a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Additionally, multilateral agreements were targeted in the fields of defense industry, energy, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure. The delegation included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and Special Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff.

The first stop of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East tour from 13 to 16 May 2025 was Saudi Arabia. On 13 May, Air Force One landed at King Khalid International Airport in the capital Riyadh, escorted by Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 fighter jets. Trump was received in an official ceremony by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. At the U.S.-Saudi Arabia Investment Forum held in Riyadh, executives from U.S.-based companies met with representatives from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). Notable participants included Elon Musk, Larry Fink, and Jensen Huang.

During the visit, agreements worth a total of $60 billion were signed between the two countries. These agreements cover defense industry, energy cooperation, and training for the Saudi armed forces. No official statement was issued regarding Saudi Arabia’s request to initiate a nuclear program. Trump also met in Riyadh with Syria’s new president, Ahmed Shara, who assumed office following the Bashar al-Assad regime; it was noted that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan participated in the meeting by telephone.

The second stop of the tour was Qatar. In the capital Doha, investment agreements totaling $120 billion were signed between the two countries. These agreements cover defense, aviation, and energy sectors. According to a White House statement, Qatar will purchase $4.2 billion worth of arms from the United States and invest $1 billion in modernizing Al Udeid Air Base. Additionally, a $24.35 billion agreement was signed that includes sales of Boeing aircraft and GE Aerospace engines to Qatar Airways. The Qatari government gifted Trump a Boeing 747-8 aircraft valued at approximately $400 million.

The third and final stop of the tour was the United Arab Emirates. In the capital Abu Dhabi, Trump was received in an official ceremony by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Investment agreements worth a total of $140 billion were signed between the parties, covering defense industry, energy, and artificial intelligence. These agreements are scheduled to be implemented over a ten-year period. Trump returned to the United States on 16 May 2025.

During the visit, Trump’s potential participation in the Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations held in Istanbul under Turkish auspices was discussed; however, the U.S. president did not attend these talks. Trump stated that efforts to end the war were ongoing and that he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at an appropriate time. In Doha, ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations concerning the Gaza Strip were raised; however, no official outcomes or statements were issued on these matters during the visit.

On 13 May 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump conducted a series of high-level diplomatic, economic, and strategic engagements in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the first stop of his Middle East tour. On the first day of the visit, inter-delegation meetings were held at the Royal Court, numerous agreements were signed, and an investment forum was convened. Additionally, a historic defense agreement was announced, the lifting of sanctions on Syria was declared, and various messages were delivered regarding Iran and Gaza. The day concluded with a visit to Diriyah and an official dinner.

On 13 May 2025, official talks were held at Yemamah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The meeting at the Royal Court was attended by U.S. delegation members including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and White House Special Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff. On the Saudi side, senior officials, relevant ministers, and royal advisors participated.

The talks were initiated with a traditional Saudi protocol ceremony, during which Trump was served traditional Saudi coffee. Following the ceremony, the parties moved to the Royal Court for closed-door negotiations. Strategic multilateral cooperation and bilateral agreements were discussed. After the bilateral talks, a broader delegation-level meeting was held.

As a result of the talks, the Strategic Economic Partnership Document was signed. Under this document, a series of memoranda of understanding and letters of intent were adopted covering cooperation in energy, mining, defense, artificial intelligence, healthcare, justice, customs, and air transport. The documents aim to establish a joint mechanism to institutionalize relations between the two countries.

Among the agreements, protocols signed between the Saudi Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense, aimed at modernizing the Saudi armed forces, attracted particular attention. In the energy sector, an agreement on cooperation regarding innovation, development, financing, and distribution of energy infrastructure was signed between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Saudi Ministry of Energy. Additionally, a technical cooperation protocol on mining and mineral resources was established between the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Under a space-related agreement, NASA and the Saudi Space Agency agreed to jointly develop a CubeSat for inclusion in the Artemis II mission and to conduct technical collaboration on the project. The parties also signed a statement of intent to co-finance space observation technologies and educational programs.

It was noted that the parties reached consensus on general principles for future relations and affirmed their commitment to maintaining regular dialogue centered on economic, technological, and security-related objectives. After the meeting, the parties left the palace to proceed to an investment forum before a closed-door dinner.

_{Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia, the first destination of his Middle East tour, 13 May 2025 - Anadolu Ajansı}

Following official talks in Riyadh, the United States and Saudi Arabia signed a comprehensive defense agreement valued at approximately $14.2 billion, described as one of the largest arms sales packages ever recorded between the two nations. The agreement was signed directly between the Saudi Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense.

The agreement encompasses a multi-layered modernization program for Saudi Arabia’s air, land, and naval forces. It includes procurement of advanced air defense systems, precision-guided munitions, unmanned aerial vehicle systems, modernization of mechanized army units, and strengthening of border security infrastructure. Training, maintenance, software support, and technical advisory services are also included.

A key component of the agreement is a program to modernize Saudi Air Force air-to-air missile systems and radar capabilities. Under this framework, the U.S. administration has granted preliminary approval for the sale of $3.5 billion worth of AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles to Saudi Arabia. The package covers both modernization of existing fleets and integration of systems into new fighter aircraft.

Additionally, mutual agreement was reached for U.S.-based defense companies to establish joint production facilities in Saudi Arabia for the National Guard. The new production lines planned for Riyadh are intended to create a long-term division of labor aimed at enhancing local military industrial capacity. The program will also include training for technical personnel, development of maintenance and repair infrastructure, and Arabic-language military curricula.

The defense agreements also include provisions for joint R&D activities in cybersecurity and military software systems. A new institutional framework will be established to facilitate information sharing between American and Saudi defense organizations in the fields of security technologies and data processing infrastructure.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in their joint statement at the signing ceremony, emphasized that this agreement is not only significant for the two countries but also for strengthening regional security.

On 13 May 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a speech to participants at the U.S.-Saudi Arabia Investment Forum held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. The speech was announced as one of the central events of Trump’s economic agenda during his visit to Saudi Arabia. At the forum’s opening, senior representatives from the American business community and Gulf fund managers were present.

Trump’s speech highlighted key themes including $60 billion in planned U.S. investments, energy partnerships, industrial cooperation based on advanced technologies, and commitments to strengthen artificial intelligence infrastructure. The forum addressed the expansion of investment plans by multiple Gulf funds, led by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), within a four-year timeframe.

U.S. participants at the forum included Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, and representatives from Citigroup, Alphabet, IBM, and Franklin Templeton. Elon Musk was reported to have presented on technology investments integrated into Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project.

Trump’s speech noted that the U.S. plans new legislation in the summer to permanently extend the tax reforms enacted in 2017. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also announced that new incentive policies would be implemented to facilitate foreign capital inflows. These policies are intended to increase investment partnerships with Gulf countries.

A $9 billion strategic minerals partnership agreement was announced during the forum. This agreement aims to position Saudi Arabia as a priority partner in securing critical minerals essential for advanced U.S. technology manufacturing. Joint operating structures are planned to allow U.S. companies to operate within Saudi mineral sites.

Additionally, agreements were reached between the Saudi-based company Humain and the UAE-based firm G42 on access to U.S.-origin artificial intelligence chips and joint production arrangements. It was stated that these agreements aim to achieve deeper integration between the United States and Gulf countries in strategic technology sectors.

Following Trump’s speech, bilateral investment meetings were held between members of the U.S.-Saudi trade delegation, and the business forum continued with private sessions at the end of the day.

Speaking at the U.S.-Saudi Arabia Investment Forum in Riyadh, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States had decided to lift its economic sanctions on Syria. This statement marked the first official declaration indicating a shift in U.S. sanctions policy toward the Middle East during Trump’s second term.

In his remarks, Trump referenced a recent telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, noting that Erdoğan had called for the lifting of sanctions on Syria. Trump stated, “A significant portion of the respected leaders in the Middle East have echoed this request. The Syrian people have endured immense hardship.” In the same statement, it was disclosed that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio would hold a face-to-face meeting with Syria’s new Foreign Minister, Asad Hasan Shebani, in Turkey.

Following Trump’s announcement, Deputy State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that technical details regarding the lifting of sanctions had not yet been finalized but expressed the administration’s hope that the process would bring peace and prosperity to the region. The U.S. government was reported to be adopting an approach aimed at increasing contact with Syria’s interim administration and encouraging international support for the country’s reconstruction.

Following the announcement, Syrian Foreign Minister Asad Hasan Shebani welcomed Trump’s decision, describing it as a “historic turning point for the Syrian people.” Shebani stated that the decision would significantly contribute to Syria’s economic recovery and expected the international community to adjust its stance accordingly. On the same day, large-scale celebrations were held in cities including Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Daraa, Latakia, and Idlib, with fireworks displayed in public squares.

 _{Trump's statement, celebrations held in the capital Damascus, May 13, 2025 - Anadolu Agency}

The decision to lift sanctions was also positively received by the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen. In a written statement, Pedersen emphasized that this development is vital for restoring essential public services such as healthcare and education. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also issued a statement describing Trump’s decision as “significant and welcome.” CAIR President Nihad Awad stated that the Syrian people have the right to build their own future independently of foreign sanctions.

U.S. President Donald Trump addressed Iran’s nuclear activities and its role in the region during his forum speech. He stated that Iran is responsible for instability in countries such as Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq, and Yemen and affirmed that Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons would be decisively prevented.

Trump emphasized that if Iran does not halt its uranium enrichment program, the U.S. will return to a “maximum pressure” policy, as it did during his previous presidency, and could once again reduce Iran’s oil exports to zero. He also stated that while he desires an agreement with Iran, if this offer is rejected, the U.S. will intensify its economic pressure. In his remarks, he said, “If I can reach an agreement with Iran, we can make your region and the world a safer place; but if Iran continues its aggressive posture, our options are clear.”

Trump also referred to recent diplomatic contacts between Gulf countries and Iran, noting that Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Abraham Accords remains on the agenda. He indicated that no progress on this front is expected until the conflict in Gaza ends. Trump also stated that the U.S. would no longer use the term “Persian Gulf,” opting instead for diplomatic language that respects regional sensitivities.

At the same forum, Donald Trump made assessments regarding the conflict in the Gaza Strip. He pointed to ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the fighting and announced that prisoner exchange negotiations are underway. During his remarks, he stated that an Israeli-American hostage held in Gaza had been released as a direct result of negotiations between the U.S. and Hamas.

In his speech, Trump said, “The people of Gaza deserve a better future,” emphasizing the prolonged hardships faced by civilians in the region. He also affirmed that the U.S. administration continues its mediation efforts to reduce civilian casualties and ensure humanitarian aid access. It was noted that some negotiation rounds have been conducted without Israeli participation.

Simultaneously with Trump’s remarks, it was reported that the U.S. administration has intensified diplomatic engagement with regional countries to achieve a lasting ceasefire in Gaza. These engagements include talks with members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as well as bilateral discussions with Egypt and Jordan.

As part of the Gaza ceasefire process, the agenda includes opening humanitarian aid corridors, ensuring access to basic healthcare services, and restoring critical infrastructure. The U.S. side is conducting technical-level talks with the parties to establish a sustainable mechanism for these issues.

An exclusive protocol program was arranged for U.S. President Donald Trump in the evening. First on the agenda was a visit to Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The visit was organized under the hospitality of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and conducted at the level of a head of state.

During the visit to the historic At-Turaif settlement in Diriyah, Trump and his delegation were transported by golf carts through the area. Presentations on Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage were delivered, and the two leaders took commemorative photographs at various locations. Security measures in the area were heightened during the visit, and access was restricted.

Following the Diriyah tour, an official dinner was held at a palace complex in central Riyadh. Attendees included members of the Saudi Royal Family, the U.S. delegation, business representatives, and special guests. A formal greeting ceremony preceded the dinner, and brief media access was granted. During the dinner, symbolic presentations of documents related to agreements signed that day were made between the two countries.

Following the dinner, a private roundtable meeting on U.S.-Saudi joint investment projects was held. It was reported that participants included Elon Musk, Larry Fink, Jensen Huang, and Sam Altman. The agenda included regional development programs for artificial intelligence infrastructure, establishment of advanced manufacturing facilities, and joint initiatives on energy efficiency investments.

The final event of the day was the transfer of the U.S. delegation to the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh. Local sources reported that surrounding roads were temporarily closed and high-level security units were deployed. All official activities of the day were conducted as planned under the hospitality of the Saudi Crown Prince and at full protocol level.

This tour marks the first major international trip undertaken by President Donald Trump during his second term in office. Scheduled between May 13 and 17, 2025, the visit includes stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

_{Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia, First Destination of His Middle East Tour – 13 May 2025, Anadolu Agency}

The tour was officially announced on May 11, 2025, via a statement published on the White House’s official website. The statement confirmed that this would be President Trump’s first official overseas visit of his second term. The itinerary, set to last four days, includes visits to the cities of Riyadh, Doha, and Abu Dhabi.

Diplomatically, the tour has been conducted at the head-of-state level and has been organized with full ceremonial protocol by each host nation. Official statements emphasized that the trip had been planned “to strengthen strategic partnerships and reinforce regional security.” The United States delegation accompanying President Trump included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff.

The tour’s objectives have been grouped under three principal categories. First, it aims to increase inbound foreign direct investment from Gulf states into the United States, particularly by channeling capital into technology, energy, and manufacturing sectors through joint sovereign funds. Second, it seeks to establish regional coordination to limit Iran’s nuclear activities. Third, it involves diplomatic efforts to support ceasefire initiatives in the Gaza Strip and open humanitarian corridors. Within this framework, Saudi Arabia’s civil nuclear energy ambitions, defense cooperation with Qatar, and artificial intelligence partnerships with the United Arab Emirates have been listed as key agenda items.

Donald Trump’s 2025 Middle East tour commenced on the morning of May 13 in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. As Air Force One approached King Khalid International Airport, it was escorted by Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 fighter jets. Upon landing, President Trump was welcomed directly by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The Riyadh leg of the visit included a private meeting between Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, followed by the US-Saudi Investment Forum. The forum was expected to bring together executives from US-based corporations and representatives from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, with a focus on a variety of economic initiatives. Notable speakers scheduled to participate included Elon Musk, Larry Fink, and Jensen Huang.

Following the engagements in Riyadh, the next stop on the tour was expected to be Doha, the capital of Qatar. Meetings in Doha were set to address US-Qatar military relations and assess ongoing regional mediation efforts.

The final stop of the trip was scheduled for Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, where discussions would center on bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy investment and the defense industry. The total duration of the tour was planned to be four days, concluding on May 17.

On the morning of May 13, 2025, President Donald Trump arrived at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh aboard Air Force One. During the descent into Saudi airspace, the aircraft was escorted by Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 fighter jets. Upon landing, Trump was greeted directly by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The welcoming ceremony was held at the Royal Terminal, where a purple carpet was laid out and the flags of both nations were displayed.

Following the initial reception at the Royal Terminal, President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman proceeded to Al Yamamah Palace. Upon arrival, Trump’s motorcade was met by ceremonial guards on horseback bearing American and Saudi flags. At the palace entrance, an honor guard was saluted, and both leaders, accompanied by their respective delegations, entered the official reception hall.

_{Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia, First Destination of His Middle East Tour – 13 May 2025, Anadolu Agency}

The schedule at Al Yamamah Palace included bilateral meetings set to begin at midday. The United States delegation was represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and senior White House officials. The Saudi delegation, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, included senior figures from the fields of economy, investment, and security.

Following the meetings, a large business luncheon was planned, with participation from senior executives of major US corporations. Among those announced were Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX; Stephen Schwarzman, CEO of Blackstone; and Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock. Topics such as investment partnerships, energy cooperation, and artificial intelligence projects were expected to be discussed at the luncheon.

Prior to the US-Saudi Investment Forum, held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, extensive security measures were implemented. Armored police units, trained detection dogs, and barrier-protected checkpoints were deployed around the venue. Civilian access was restricted in the vicinity of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the palace compound adjacent to the conference site.

Later in the day, Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman were scheduled to visit Dir’iyah and the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage Site. The day’s program was expected to conclude with an official state dinner, preceded by the signing of various economic and strategic agreements between the two countries. President Trump’s speech at the investment forum was scheduled to take place at the end of the day.

On 14 May 2025, in the Saudi capital Riyadh, United States President Donald Trump held a meeting with Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Shara. The meeting, which began at 10:07 local time and concluded at 10:40, followed Trump’s announcement that economic sanctions against Syria would be lifted. Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman attended in person, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan participated via video link.

_{U.S. President DonaldTrump, with Syrian President Assad, in Saudi Arabia, 14 May 2025 – Anadolu Agency}

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the normalization process between the two countries, reconstruction, mutual security cooperation, and regional stability. According to statements issued by the White House and the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, post-sanctions economic recovery policies, coordinated counter-terrorism efforts, and institutionalization of diplomatic relations were placed on the agenda. Additional expectations were conveyed regarding Shara’s alignment of Syria with the Abraham Accords, the expulsion of foreign armed groups from Syria, the repatriation of certain Palestinian militants, operational cooperation against ISIS, and the takeover

May 15, 2025 morning, U.S. President Donald Trump visited Al-Udeid Air Base as the final stage of his engagements in Qatar. The base, located west of Doha and actively operated by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), was opened under a closed protocol with enhanced security measures for the visit. The event was recorded as the final activity of the third day of the trip.

In the meeting area within the base, Trump delivered a brief address to U.S. military personnel stationed in Qatar. He emphasized that cooperation with Qatar extends beyond diplomatic and economic dimensions to include strategic defense. He stated that Al-Udeid Air Base holds central importance for the American presence in the region and that this presence would be preserved. The speech was not open to the press, but the White House Press Office later released a summary of its content.

In accordance with a prior statement of intent signed between Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and President Trump, plans have been set in motion to upgrade the infrastructure of Al-Udeid Air Base, increase the number of joint security units, and deploy new radar systems. The Qatari Ministry of Defense confirmed that funding for these projects will be provided by Qatar.

At the conclusion of the visit, Trump participated in a brief one-on-one greeting and commemorative photo session with U.S. service members. Following the base visit, President Trump completed his diplomatic program in Doha and departed from Al-Udeid Air Base for the United Arab Emirates.

On the final day of U.S. President Donald Trump’s program in Qatar on May 15, 2025, detailed information regarding comprehensive economic agreements signed the previous day was officially disclosed to the public. The largest economic cooperation announced during the talks was an aircraft purchase agreement between Qatar Airways and Boeing. Under this agreement, Qatar Airways ordered 160 wide-body Boeing passenger aircraft with a total contract value of $200 billion.

The aircraft will consist of Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X models, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2026. It was announced that all aircraft will be equipped with engines produced by GE Aerospace and that an additional $9.6 billion maintenance and spare parts contract has been signed with General Electric. These agreements are expected to generate thousands of direct jobs in the United States.

As part of the agreement, GE Aerospace will initiate technical cooperation to establish a motor maintenance and parts replacement center in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Additionally, a separate agreement was signed between Boeing and the Qatar Aviation Academy covering pilot training programs in Qatar, with financing provided by the Qatar Investment Authority.

On the afternoon of May 15, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump traveled to the United Arab Emirates, the third stop of his Middle East tour, following his engagements in Qatar. Trump departed Doha aboard Air Force One and landed at Abu Dhabi International Airport, where he was officially welcomed by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

_{ABD Başkanı Trump, BAE Devlet Başkanı Muhammed Bin Zayid Al Nahyan ile bir arada, 15 Mayıs 2025 - Anadolu Ajansı}

On the same day, a bilateral meeting took place between Trump and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed at Qasr el-Watan Palace. Prior to the meeting, in accordance with UAE protocol, Trump was awarded the Zayed Medal, the highest state honor of the country. The ceremony and meeting were conducted under a closed state-level protocol, with visuals released through UAE news agencies.

During U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the United Arab Emirates, numerous economic and technological agreements covering various fields were signed between the U.S. and the UAE. The White House stated that these agreements are based on the UAE’s commitment to invest $1.4 trillion in the United States over the next ten years.

A portion of the agreements focuses directly on artificial intelligence technologies, data centers, and chip production infrastructure. A joint partnership has been established between Qualcomm, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and e& to create a new Global Engineering Center in Abu Dhabi.

_{Trump, was officially welcomed by Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, at Al Watan Palace in Abu Dhabi, 15 May 2025 - Anadolu Agency}

The White House also announced that a separate artificial intelligence agreement has been signed between the U.S. and the UAE. This agreement includes the UAE’s commitment to invest in, construct, and finance data centers in the United States. The locations, timelines, and fund allocations for these projects will be detailed in the coming months.

Among the agreements announced in Abu Dhabi on May 15, 2025, in the presence of U.S. President Trump, was a $14.5 billion aircraft purchase deal between Etihad Airways, Boeing, and GE Aerospace. The White House confirmed that Etihad has ordered 28 Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft, which will be equipped with GE engines. Deliveries of the aircraft are expected to begin in 2028.