Trump returned from a four-day trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, calling it a historic success. He announced investment deals worth over $2 trillion, promising job creation and economic growth in the U.S. Financial experts, however, question the size and feasibility of these agreements.
The visit featured grand ceremonies with fighter jets escorting Air Force One and traditional Gulf hospitality including camels and sword dances. The UAE honored Trump with its highest civilian award, the Order of Zayed, signaling a closer relationship between the Gulf monarchies and the U.S.
Saudi Arabia pledged $600 billion in joint projects covering weapons, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and healthcare. A $142 billion arms deal was highlighted as a record, but economists caution that past promises did not fully materialize into real trade. Between 2017 and 2020, actual trade with Saudi Arabia stayed below $300 billion.
Trump also announced $1.2 trillion in economic exchanges with Qatar, but official records show $243.5 billion in confirmed deals. Qatar Airways’ purchase of up to 210 Boeing jets, worth $96 billion, stands out as a key part of the agreements. The UAE plans a large AI campus with 500,000 Nvidia chips, included in its $1.4 trillion investment pledge. Many deals are non-binding memorandums rather than firm contracts, with some previously disclosed agreements re-announced during the visit.
Falling oil prices raise doubts about Gulf nations’ financial ability to deliver. Crude prices hit four-year lows amid global tensions and increased OPEC+ production. Saudi Arabia’s budget faces pressure, affecting its Vision 2030 economic goals, with the IMF lowering its 2025 growth forecast from 3.3% to 3%.
The trip also signals a shift in U.S.-Gulf relations, focusing more on AI and economic cooperation than energy or security. Trump was accompanied by U.S. tech leaders, and recent easing of U.S. export controls on advanced chips supports Gulf ambitions to build AI data centers and attract talent. Abu Dhabi aims to be a global AI hub, while the UAE reduces ties with China and strengthens U.S. partnerships.
For Gulf leaders, the visit helped reset ties strained under the Biden administration, seeking greater influence and economic independence. For Trump, the announced deals provide political leverage ahead of possible elections, as his trade policies have slowed U.S. growth. The Gulf agreements serve as evidence of his dealmaking skills.
