Trump announces $200 billion in UAE deals, deepens U.S.-Gulf AI cooperation

President Donald Trump announced more than $200 billion in business agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during a high-stakes visit to Abu Dhabi, highlighting a new era of U.S.-Gulf economic and technological alignment. The deals, signed alongside UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, span aviation, energy, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing.

The visit marked the latest leg of Trump’s Gulf tour, which began in Qatar earlier in the week. Speaking in Abu Dhabi, Trump pledged to expand U.S.-UAE cooperation and accelerate strategic investments between the two countries. “I have absolutely no doubt that the relationship will only get bigger and better,” he said during a joint appearance with Sheikh Mohamed.

Among the headline deals: a $14.5 billion order by Etihad Airways for 28 Boeing 787 and 777x aircraft, powered by engines from GE Aerospace. Emirates Global Aluminum also committed to investing $4 billion in a new aluminum smelter project in Oklahoma, reinforcing manufacturing ties between the two economies.

AI ambitions and chip access

The economic package also includes a sweeping new initiative in artificial intelligence. The two countries unveiled plans for a US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, under which the UAE would gain access to advanced U.S. semiconductor technology—an area where Washington has historically been cautious due to national security concerns.

The agreement reportedly includes preliminary clearance for the UAE to import 500,000 of Nvidia’s top-tier AI chips annually. These chips are essential to training next-generation AI models and building out large-scale data centers. In return, the UAE has committed to investing in and developing data centers on U.S. soil with equivalent capacity, ensuring technological parity.

To ease U.S. concerns, the UAE agreed to align its national security regulations with American standards, including safeguards to prevent the diversion of U.S.-origin technology to unauthorized parties or adversarial states.

At the launch event, Trump and Sheikh Mohamed jointly unveiled a 5-gigawatt AI campus in Abu Dhabi—the largest of its kind outside the United States. The project is part of the UAE’s broader vision to become a global leader in AI development and infrastructure.

Energy, diplomacy, and broader Gulf ties

The new agreements also strengthen energy cooperation. U.S. oil majors including ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum, and EOG Resources will partner with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) on a $60 billion expansion in oil and gas production. The deal signals continued U.S. energy investment in the region despite growing global momentum toward energy transition.

The White House further confirmed that Trump had secured an acceleration of the UAE’s previously pledged $1.4 trillion investment in the U.S. economy over the next decade. The sweeping economic and strategic alignment comes amid an upswing in Gulf investment across American sectors, from defense to technology to infrastructure.

Earlier in the trip, Trump addressed U.S. troops stationed at Al Udeid Air Base near Doha, where he welcomed Qatar’s announcement of a $10 billion investment in a U.S. military facility. He also noted Qatar’s $42 billion in recent defense procurement deals. In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia committed to a $600 billion U.S. investment initiative and agreed to a $142 billion arms deal.

During his UAE visit, Trump and Sheikh Mohamed also toured the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The mosque, closed to the public for the day, was described by Trump as “so beautiful,” adding that it was a tribute “in honor of the United States.”

Trump hinted at continuing his regional diplomacy tour, potentially stopping in Istanbul for discussions on Ukraine, before returning to Washington.

Summary:

President Trump’s visit to the UAE produced over $200 billion in new business deals, including major investments in aviation, AI, and energy. A key highlight was the launch of the US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, giving the Gulf nation expanded access to U.S. semiconductor technology while aligning national security protocols. With the UAE poised to become a leading hub for artificial intelligence, the agreements underscore a deeper U.S. strategy to counterbalance China's tech influence and elevate Gulf states as pivotal partners in global innovation.