US President Donald Trump on Thursday committed to strengthening ties between the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), unveiling over $200 billion in new deals and announcing enhanced cooperation in artificial intelligence. Following a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the White House detailed several agreements, including a $14.5 billion investment by Etihad Airways to purchase 28 Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines.
The US Commerce Department revealed that the two countries would establish a “US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership,” underscoring the launch of a 5GW AI campus in the UAE—the largest of its kind outside the US. This partnership aims to expand the Gulf nation’s access to advanced US AI chips, previously restricted due to Washington’s concerns about potential technology transfer to China.
Trump’s visit to the UAE is part of a broader Gulf tour, which recently included Qatar, where he praised Doha’s $10 billion investment in a US military facility. During his UAE meeting, Trump referenced the country’s pledge to invest $1.4 trillion in the US over the next decade, citing comments from Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s national security adviser and head of major sovereign wealth funds.
Upon arrival in Abu Dhabi, Trump was warmly received by Sheikh Mohamed and toured the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, describing the tribute of closing the mosque in honor of the United States as “beautiful.”
Read More: UAE Suspends Three-Month Visit Visas, Introduces New Policy
According to a White House fact sheet, Trump secured $200 billion in new US-UAE deals, accelerating the previously announced $1.4 trillion investment commitment. Key agreements include Emirates Global Aluminum’s $4 billion project to build a primary aluminum smelter in Oklahoma and partnerships between ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum, EOG Resources, and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to expand oil and gas production valued at $60 billion.
Sheikh Mohamed expressed the UAE’s eagerness to deepen bilateral relations, emphasizing mutual commitment to strengthening the partnership. Prior to his UAE visit, Trump announced $42 billion in defense purchases from Qatar during a speech to US troops at Al Udeid Air Base.
The UAE is actively seeking US assistance to become a global AI leader. Reuters reported that the US has agreed to allow the UAE to import up to 500,000 advanced Nvidia AI chips annually starting this year—a move that will significantly bolster the UAE’s AI infrastructure, including data centers critical for AI development. The deal, however, has raised national security concerns within segments of the US government.
The AI partnership also includes historic commitments by the UAE to align its national security regulations with those of the US, ensuring strict safeguards against the misuse or diversion of American-origin technology.
Under the previous Biden administration, exports of AI chips to the Middle East were tightly controlled over fears they could be transferred to China, potentially enhancing its military capabilities.
During the visit, Trump and Sheikh Mohamed met with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, highlighting the technology focus of the partnership. Trump indicated he might return to Washington on Friday but left open the possibility of further regional stops, including Istanbul, for talks on Ukraine.
Trump’s Gulf tour has featured major business deals and diplomatic developments, including Qatar Airways’ order for up to 210 Boeing widebody jets, Saudi Arabia’s $600 billion investment pledge in the US, and $142 billion in US arms sales to the kingdom.
Diplomatically, Trump said the US is close to finalizing a nuclear deal with Iran, with Tehran showing tentative agreement to the terms. He also announced the removal of longstanding US sanctions on Syria and met with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, urging the latter to establish relations with Israel.
Improving relations with Gulf nations has been a central goal for Trump’s administration. Should the planned AI chip agreements proceed, the Gulf region, especially the UAE, could emerge as a significant third power center in the global AI race alongside the US and China.
