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- Trump's $2 Trillion+ Gulf Tour Ends
Trump's $2 Trillion+ Gulf Tour Ends
Augustus Media FZ LLC
May 17, 2025
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Happy Saturday everyone!
President Donald Trump’s May 2025 Gulf tour – through Saudi Arabia (May 13), Qatar (May 14) and the United Arab Emirates (May 15) – was billed as a “deals-focused” trip. In Riyadh on May 13, he and Saudi leaders signed sweeping agreements and announced massive investments. In Doha on May 14, Trump and Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani oversaw the signing of an economic framework and dozens of trade and defense contracts. Finally in Abu Dhabi on May 15, he met UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to deepen ties in energy, AI and infrastructure. The visit yielded hundreds of billions in new US–Gulf deals, public statements on regional issues, and a flurry of press releases and fact sheets from the White House.
Also, Etihad Rail will launch passenger services from 2026, and Bloomberg has done a profile on ‘Abu Dhabi’s Man in Manhattan’.
But before that: For quick daily updates, follow us on Instagram, and you can watch our Smashi Business Show live every weekday from 10AM onwards (UAE time). Also, you can join our Whatsapp channel to receive updates from the business world.
Trump’s Gulf Tour Sparks Over $2 Trillion in Deals
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia – May 13, 2025
Major Deals:
Signed Energy-Defense-Mining MOU covering dozens of US–Saudi projects.
$600B+ in total Saudi investment in the US.
DataVolt to invest ~$20B in US AI data centers & energy infrastructure.
US tech giants (Google, Oracle, Salesforce, AMD, Uber) to invest ~$80B in bilateral tech initiatives.
$2B in US infrastructure contracts (Hill Int’l, Jacobs, Parsons, AECOM) for Saudi airports, parks, city projects.
GE Vernova sells $14.2B in turbines and energy tech.
AviLease to buy Boeing 737-8 jets worth $4.8B.
$5.8B healthcare plant investment by Saudi-backed Shamekh IV.
Three sectoral Saudi funds ($4–5B each) for US energy, aerospace/defense, and sports.
Historic $142B arms deal – largest US-Saudi military package ever.
Agreements:
US DOE & Saudi Energy Ministry signed energy cooperation agreement.
Mining & minerals MOU between US and Saudi industry ministries.
Statements & Context:
Trump called deals “historic” and aligned with “America First.”
Announced lifting US sanctions on Syria – MBS's request.
Praised MBS as an “incredible man” – no mention of Khashoggi.
MBS hinted defense deals could grow to $1T.
Reactions:
Gulf leaders welcomed the outcome.
Critics noted downplaying of human rights concerns.
US lawmakers like Bernie Sanders moved to block further arms sales.
🇶🇦 Qatar – May 14, 2025
Major Deals:
$1.2T US-Qatar economic framework signed.
$243.5B in specific deals announced.
Qatar Airways ordered up to 210 Boeing 787/777X jets – worth $96B (Boeing’s biggest wide-body order).
$8.5B LNG expansion contracts for McDermott.
Parsons Corp won $97B in infrastructure contracts for 30 projects.
Launched Quantinuum JV in quantum computing – $1B Qatari investment.
Defense deals:
$1B for Raytheon counter-drone systems.
$2B for General Atomics MQ-9B drones.
$38B Statement of Intent for future defense spending (Al Udeid upgrades, air/maritime systems).
Statements & Context:
Trump called the deals “transformative.”
Qatar pledged $10B to upgrade Al Udeid Air Base.
Trump said the US was “close” to an Iran nuclear deal.
Brief meeting with Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Reactions:
Qatari media called the visit “historic.”
US press flagged Qatar’s gifting of a Boeing 747 to Trump – raising foreign emoluments clause concerns.
Analysts saw this as Qatar’s reassertion of independence post-boycott.
Human rights groups criticized continued arms exports.
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates – May 15, 2025
Major Deals:
$200B in new deals signed in Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Airways ordered 28 Boeing 787s and 777Xs – worth $14.5B.
$4B aluminum smelter in Oklahoma from Emirates Global Aluminium.
$60B US oil/gas investment by ADNOC + ExxonMobil, Occidental, EOG.
$25B UAE–US data center/energy project from ADQ/Energy Capital.
AI cooperation initiative:
US–UAE AI Acceleration Partnership launched.
Plan to build 5 GW AI research campus (world’s largest outside US).
UAE to import up to 500,000 Nvidia AI chips/year.
UAE pledged US data centers “as large” as UAE’s own.
Statements & Context:
Trump praised UAE’s $1.4T 10-year investment pledge.
Meeting held at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang present at AI framework signing.
White House highlighted the deals as a tech-driven relationship.
Reactions:
UAE media hailed the visit as a strategic milestone.
AI chip deal drew intense attention in tech/national security circles.
US lawmakers (e.g., Bernie Sanders) raised concerns about arms sales and tech exports.
Critics noted lack of discussion on human rights, but acknowledged deepening commercial/strategic ties.
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Etihad Rail To Launch High-Speed Passenger Train In 2026, Linking Abu Dhabi And Dubai In 30 Minutes
🔹 What Is It About:
Etihad Rail has confirmed that its high-speed passenger train service will launch in 2026, calling it one of the UAE’s most strategic transportation projects.
The announcement came during a briefing to H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Al Dhanna Palace, led by Etihad Rail CEO H.E. Shadi Malak.
The train will connect Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes, reaching speeds of up to 350 km/h, and pass through major destinations and tourist attractions.
Etihad Rail is also developing a 303 km UAE–Oman railway linking Abu Dhabi to Sohar and Al Ain, with passenger speeds of 200 km/h and freight speeds of 120 km/h.
🔹 Why It Matters:
The project is expected to contribute AED145 billion to the UAE’s GDP over the next 50 years.
It will enhance domestic connectivity, boost economic diversification, and position the UAE as a regional leader in advanced, sustainable rail transport.
The network will also support tourism growth, reduce road congestion, and enhance freight capacity with a network already capable of handling 60 million tons annually.
This railway is part of the UAE’s broader vision to connect all seven emirates and strengthen ties with Oman via integrated infrastructure.
🔹 What’s Next:
The passenger service is set to go live in 2026, with further expansion of rail services across the GCC expected in the years ahead.
The UAE–Oman rail project, backed by a $3 billion joint investment, is underway and will provide seamless regional travel.
Continued investment in rail tech, tunnels, bridges, and sustainable infrastructure will remain key pillars of Etihad Rail’s expansion strategy.
The network is expected to transform regional travel, offering faster, greener, and more efficient transport options for both people and goods.
Protect Your Reputation Before the Headlines Hit
In an era where one viral post can undo years of work, IRM360 is hosting a private, invite-only event in Dubai Marina on May 21st, 2025, designed for those who can’t afford to leave their reputation to chance. Organized by Nino Kader, Founder and CEO of IRM360 — the strategist credited with turning around the Qatar World Cup’s global image — and Dennis Broberg, Founder of Natanyos Marketing, who has generated over $100M in ad-driven revenue while keeping high-profile brands protected from exposure risks.
Who should attend? Founders, public figures, family offices, and professionals who advise them.
Date: May 21, 2025
Location: Dubai Marina
Format: Morning or afternoon session (strictly invite-only)
Seats are limited. Apply for your private invitation.
Abu Dhabi’s Man in Manhattan: The Power Broker Behind UAE’s AI Ambitions and Trump Ties
🔹 What Is It About:
Marty Edelman, an 83-year-old New York real estate lawyer, has become one of Abu Dhabi’s most trusted advisers, according to Bloomberg, navigating between American political power centers and Emirati royal circles.
Dubbed “Abu Dhabi’s Man in Manhattan,” Edelman has helped orchestrate high-profile deals—from the 2008 Manchester City acquisition to sensitive talks involving the UAE’s AI ambitions.
His longtime relationship with Donald Trump and Steve Witkoff has positioned him as a key intermediary as the UAE engages with the Trump administration’s return to Washington.
Edelman holds advisory roles at major Abu Dhabi-linked institutions like Mubadala, Royal Group, G42, Manchester City, and MGX, the firm backing Trump’s $100B AI initiative.
🔹 Why It Matters:
Edelman’s unique trust among both Democrats and Republicans—from the Kennedys to Trump—gives him unmatched access across the US political spectrum.
His role helps the UAE navigate geopolitical complexities: securing US tech deals, maintaining bipartisan ties, and advancing its Vision 2030 transformation.
With AI and semiconductors now central to both global competition and national security, Edelman has quietly become a pivotal figure in shaping the UAE’s strategic positioning.
His ability to bridge Western boardrooms and Gulf majlises makes him an emblem of how modern influence operates—less about public titles, more about private trust.
🔹 What’s Next:
As Trump regains influence, Edelman’s behind-the-scenes role could grow even more significant—especially in securing AI-related deals and easing regulatory friction.
The UAE will likely continue relying on Edelman to balance relations with competing US factions, especially as scrutiny around G42’s ties to China and tech acquisition strategies intensifies.
Edelman’s presence on the boards of cutting-edge tech and investment firms signals that Abu Dhabi is doubling down on AI, semiconductors, and soft power diplomacy in the coming years.
With global tech competition escalating and US politics entering another polarizing cycle, Marty Edelman may be one of the few trusted by both sides to quietly keep doors open.
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