Trump Wraps Up Lavish Middle East Tour with Billions in Deals

 Donald Trump, the 47th President of the United States, concluded his four-day visit to the Middle East on May 16, 2025, after meeting with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The trip was marked by a flurry of business deals and diplomatic agreements, showcasing Trump's focus on strengthening economic ties with the region.

Key Deals and Agreements

- Saudi Arabia: Trump signed a "strategic economic partnership" agreement with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aiming to increase Saudi investment in the US from $600 billion to $1 trillion. Notable deals include:

    -$142 billion letter of intent to improve defense capabilities

    -$10 billion project with Nvidia and AMD to provide semiconductors to Saudi artificial intelligence company Humain

    -$20 billion investment by DataVolt in US energy infrastructure and data centers

- Qatar: Trump announced over $243 billion in deals, including:

    - $1 billion defense agreement with Raytheon for Qatari counter-drone capabilities

    - $2 billion contract with General Atomics for MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicles

    - $38 billion for Al Udeid Air Base

    - 210 Boeing jets purchased by Qatar Airways, touted as "the largest order of jets in the history of Boeing"

- United Arab Emirates: The US Department of Commerce announced a deal with the Emirates and Emirati artificial intelligence firm G42 to establish the largest data center for artificial intelligence outside of the US in Abu Dhabi.

Gift from Qatar

Reports indicate that Trump is set to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8KB from the House of Thani, Qatar's ruling family, sparking ethics concerns. The gift has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and national security implications.

Diplomatic Highlights

Trump's visit also featured diplomatic engagements, including:

- A meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, where Trump urged Syria to join the Abraham Accords and announced plans to lift sanctions on the country

- Participation in a Gulf Cooperation Council summit, where leaders discussed regional issues, including the Gaza war and Iran's nuclear program

- A state dinner in Qatar, where Trump appealed for improved Iran-US relations

The trip has been seen as a significant shift in US foreign policy in the Middle East, with Trump's administration emphasizing economic cooperation and a lighter tone on sensitive issues.