During a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Trump expressed confidence in the future of the bilateral relationship. "I have absolutely no doubt that the relationship will only get bigger and better," he stated. He also acknowledged the UAE's pledge to invest $1.4 trillion in the US over the next decade, referencing a recent visit by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohamed's brother and a key figure in Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth funds. "And all I can say is thank you very much. We will work very hard to deserve it," Trump added.
Sheikh Mohamed reciprocated the sentiment, affirming the UAE's desire to "continue and strengthen this friendship for the benefit of the two countries and peoples."
The visit also featured a stop at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, where Trump remarked on its beauty and noted that it had been closed to the public in honor of the US.
A central theme of the discussions was the UAE's ambition to become a global leader in AI, with US support. Reports indicated a preliminary agreement allowing the UAE to import 500,000 of Nvidia's advanced AI chips annually, a move that would significantly bolster the UAE's data center infrastructure. However, this agreement has raised national security concerns within the US government, as there are concerns that these chips could be diverted to China.
At the presidential palace, Trump and Sheikh Mohamed were seen in conversation with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, highlighting the focus on technology and AI.
Trump's Gulf tour has resulted in several significant business and diplomatic agreements. Notable deals include Qatar Airways' purchase of Boeing widebody jets, Saudi Arabia's commitment to invest $600 billion in the US, and $142 billion in US arms sales to the kingdom.
On the diplomatic front, Trump claimed progress on a potential nuclear deal with Iran and announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria, subsequently meeting with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, whom he urged to establish ties with Israel.
The focus on AI during Trump's UAE visit underscores the region's growing importance in the global AI landscape. The previous Biden administration had imposed strict export controls on US AI chips to the Middle East, fearing their potential diversion to China. Trump's approach signals a shift, potentially positioning the Gulf as a third major player in the global AI competition, alongside the US and China.
Trump also drew a contrast between his approach to diplomacy and that of his predecessor, Joe Biden, particularly regarding interactions with Saudi leaders. He emphasized the importance of handshakes over fist bumps, stating, "They don't want a fist bump. They want to shake his hand."