U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, May 15, announced new agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) worth more than $200 billion.
The deals were made after a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the presidential palace, Qasr Al Watan.
The agreements cover aviation, artificial intelligence, and trade. One major deal involves Etihad Airways agreeing to buy 28 aircraft from Boeing for $14.5 billion. The order includes both 787 and next-generation 777X models, all powered by GE Aerospace engines.
During the visit, President Trump received the Order of Zayed, the UAE’s highest civilian award, in recognition of his role in strengthening ties between the two countries.
The two leaders also launched the U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership. This new program will focus on expanding artificial intelligence and innovation. As part of the plan, the UAE will build a 5-gigawatt AI campus, which is expected to be the largest outside the United States.
The UAE has also agreed to invest in or build data centers in the U.S. that are equal in size and capacity to those it is developing in the Gulf. The agreements include commitments by the UAE to follow U.S. rules on national security, especially on the handling of American technology.
The deals are seen as a big diplomatic win for the UAE. The country has been trying to manage its relationship with both the United States and China.
Under former President Joe Biden, the U.S. limited the UAE’s access to advanced semiconductors due to concerns over Chinese involvement in Emirati tech projects.
Trump’s new approach signals a shift toward deeper tech cooperation with the UAE. It also gives the U.S. more influence over the region’s digital infrastructure.
Trump’s visit to the Middle East also included a $600 billion deal with Saudi Arabia and a promise to lift sanctions on Syria. These moves suggest a wider U.S. strategy to rebuild its position in the Gulf through trade, technology, and diplomacy.
