Locator: 48656SIRTRUMP.
During President Donald Trump’s Middle East tour from May 13–16, 2025, the U.S. secured a series of major agreements across defense, technology, aviation, and diplomacy with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These deals, collectively valued at over $2 trillion, reflect a strategic pivot toward deeper economic and geopolitical alignment with Gulf nations.
Saudi Arabia (May 13–14):
- Total Deal Value: Approximately $600 billion in U.S. investments, with potential increases up to $1 trillion
- Key Agreements:
- Defense: A $142 billion arms deal, including advanced missile systems and F-15EX fighter jets
- Technology & AI: Nvidia and AMD agreed to supply semiconductors to Humain, a Saudi AI firm, supporting a 500-megawatt AI data center initiative
- Energy & Infrastructure: DataVolt committed to investing $20 billion into U.S. energy infrastructure and data centers
- Aviation: Discussions included potential orders for Boeing aircraft by Riyadh Air
- Diplomatic Developments:
- President Trump announced the lifting of all U.S. sanctions on Syria, signaling a willingness to normalize relations with Syria’s new government
Qatar (May 14–15):
- Total Deal Value: Over $243.5 billion across sectors such as defense, aviation, infrastructure, and energy
- Key Agreements:
- Aviation: Qatar Airways signed an agreement to purchase up to 210 Boeing jets, marking the largest order in Boeing’s history
- Defense: A $1 billion agreement with Raytheon for counter-drone capabilities and a $1 billion contract with General Atomics for MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicles
- Military Infrastructure: $1 billion allocated for enhancements to Al Udeid Air Base
- Diplomatic Developments:
- Qatar’s strategic repositioning as a key regional mediator was highlighted, including its role in brokering talks between adversaries
United Arab Emirates (May 15–16):
- Total Deal Value: The UAE committed to $1.4 trillion in U.S. investments over the next 10 years, focusing on AI infrastructure, semiconductors, energy, and manufacturing
- Key Agreements:
- Technology & AI: Establishment of the largest AI data center outside the U.S. in Abu Dhabi, in partnership with Emirati firm G42; update here;
- Aviation: Emirates and Flydubai are exploring significant Boeing aircraft orders, including 777X widebody jets and 737 models
- Diplomatic Developments:
- President Trump was awarded the Order of Zayed, the UAE’s highest civil decoration, underscoring strengthened bilateral ties
Broader Diplomatic Shifts
- Syria: The U.S. lifted all sanctions on Syria and engaged in direct talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, marking a significant policy shift
- Iran: President Trump expressed openness to negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, indicating a potential thaw in U.S.-Iran relations
- Houthi Ceasefire: A ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Yemen’s Houthi movement was brokered by Oman, leading to a halt in attacks on vessels in the Red Sea
Iraq: link here. From Charles Kennedy, so you know it's going to be good and it's going to be important.
