Trump Heads to UAE as Gulf Tour Focuses on AI, Defense Deals, Diplomacy
News Desk
Doha: US President Donald Trump is wrapping up his four-day tour of the Gulf with a visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to take center stage in talks with Emirati leaders eager to position their country as a global AI powerhouse.
Before flying to Abu Dhabi on Thursday, Trump addressed US troops at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American military facility in the Middle East. His trip has been marked by a series of high-profile business and diplomatic developments.
One of the most significant announcements involves a preliminary deal that would allow the UAE to import up to 500,000 of Nvidia’s most advanced AI chips annually, starting this year, according to Reuters. The chips are critical for developing sophisticated AI models and supporting the expansion of data centers across the Gulf state.
However, the agreement has sparked national security concerns in Washington, with some US officials warning of the potential risk of technology transfer to rival nations like China. The final terms of the deal remain subject to change.
Trump is scheduled to meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other top officials in Abu Dhabi, where AI cooperation is expected to be a primary focus.
Throughout his Gulf visit, Trump has overseen the signing of major commercial deals. These include Qatar Airways’ agreement to buy up to 210 Boeing widebody aircraft, a massive $600 billion Saudi pledge to invest in the U.S., and $142 billion in American arms sales to the kingdom.
In a major diplomatic move, Trump also announced the US would lift long-standing sanctions on Syria. He followed the announcement with a meeting with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa — a surprising development amid ongoing regional tensions.
While there was speculation Trump might make a detour to Turkey to join Russia-Ukraine peace talks, a US official confirmed on Wednesday that the president will head directly back to Washington after his UAE meetings.
Trump has prioritized rebuilding and strengthening ties with Gulf nations during his presidency. If the proposed AI deals materialize, the Gulf — led by the UAE — could emerge as a third global hub for AI development, alongside the US and China.
