Egypt Daily News – U.S. President Donald Trump concluded his four-day Gulf tour on Friday with a departure from the United Arab Emirates, following earlier stops in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan personally bid farewell to Trump at the airport, marking the end of a significant diplomatic and economic visit.
Trump’s Gulf tour began Tuesday in Riyadh, then moved to Doha, and finally concluded in Abu Dhabi. It marked his first international trip during his second term in office, and it resulted in substantial economic deals and diplomatic developments across the region.
Historic Meetings and Major Deals
One of the most notable moments of the trip occurred in Saudi Arabia, where Trump met with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa—the first such meeting between U.S. and Syrian leaders in 25 years. During the meeting in Riyadh, Trump announced the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria, a country ravaged by years of conflict.
Throughout the trip, Trump secured deals worth billions of dollars. In Qatar, he praised a record-setting $200 billion agreement for Boeing aircraft with Qatar Airways. In Saudi Arabia, Riyadh pledged $600 billion in investments, while the UAE committed to a staggering $1.4 trillion investment in the United States over the next decade.
“These are unprecedented figures,” Trump said, highlighting the scale of the economic cooperation. “This is your largest investment ever, and we truly appreciate it,” he told Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed during their meeting in Abu Dhabi.
Strengthening Strategic Partnerships
President Trump underscored the strategic alliance between the U.S. and the Gulf states, praising their leaders and expressing strong personal rapport with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, stating that they share “a lot of mutual affection.”
In Abu Dhabi, the two sides discussed a broad range of economic and geopolitical issues. Trump visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, known for its massive white columns and golden decorations, and later attended a U.S.-UAE business dialogue alongside Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed and Emirati business leaders.
He also visited the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island—a religious complex housing a mosque, a church, and the UAE’s first synagogue—emphasizing interfaith coexistence and tolerance.
Focus on Iran and Regional Conflicts
While in Qatar, Trump signaled that a new agreement over Iran’s nuclear program might be imminent, hinting that diplomacy could avert military confrontation. “They have a proposal,” he later said from Abu Dhabi, referring to the Iranian government. “More importantly, they know they must act quickly, or something bad will happen.”
Despite the productive talks, Trump admitted there was no breakthrough in negotiations regarding the war in Gaza. Qatar has played a key role in mediation efforts, but Trump reiterated his controversial stance that the U.S. should “take” the Gaza Strip and turn it into a “zone of freedom.” He later acknowledged in Abu Dhabi that “many are starving” in the besieged territory, pledging efforts to address the humanitarian crisis.
“A President Who Can Sell”
During the U.S.-UAE business dialogue, Trump joked, “I think we have a U.S. president who knows how to sell,” referring to the massive economic deals struck during the tour. He also announced the UAE’s interest in investing in U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturing, describing it as a crucial step toward supporting America’s high-tech industries.
Trump closed his remarks by expressing his desire to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin “as soon as we can arrange it,” adding that he was also ready to travel to Turkey to participate in potential Russia-Ukraine peace talks—the first direct negotiations in over three years.
Rebuilding Ties with the Middle East
Reflecting on his administration’s foreign policy, Trump said that the previous U.S. administration had cut off relations with the Middle East, a gap he is now working to close. “America was absent from the region,” he said, “but we are repositioning ourselves now.”
The Gulf tour not only reinforced economic and diplomatic ties but also signaled a renewed American presence in a region that continues to shape global geopolitics.
