From May 13 to 16, President Donald Trump conducted his first major international trip of his second term, visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The visit yielded major investment announcements, with Gulf leaders and the White House touting more than $2 trillion in pledges. According to the White House, key agreements included a $142 billion U.S.-Saudi arms deal, a historic $96 billion Boeing order from Qatar Airways and a $1.4 trillion UAE investment package spanning artificial intelligence (AI), technology and energy. The trip underscored the administration’s shift toward a transactional, commerce-driven foreign policy that prioritizes economic interdependence with Gulf monarchies over traditional security alliances.
Saudi Arabia
In Riyadh, President Trump announced a $600 billion investment package anchored by a $142 billion arms deal encompassing missile defense systems, transport aircraft, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) upgrades and land force modernization. Major platforms include Patriot and THAAD batteries, C-130 aircraft and expanded datalink capabilities through a joint venture between L3Harris and Saudi Arabian Military Industries. Tricion Defense Group committed over $1 billion to facilitate direct U.S. investment in the Kingdom’s defense sector. On the technology front, U.S. firms including Google, Oracle, Salesforce, AMD and Uber pledged $80 billion toward advanced digital development across both countries, while Saudi firm DataVolt committed $20 billion to build AI-focused data centers in the United States. Nvidia will supply 18,000 chips to Humain, a Saudi-backed AI startup, and Amazon will invest $5 billion in a planned “AI Zone” within the Kingdom. Energy and infrastructure deals included $14.2 billion in gas turbine exports from GE Vernova, a new $5 billion bilateral energy fund, and $2 billion in U.S. construction services tied to major projects like King Salman International Airport. Boeing also reached a $4.8 billion deal to deliver 30 737 MAX aircraft to AviLease, a Saudi sovereign wealth fund-owned leasing firm.
Qatar
Trump’s visit to Doha resulted in $42 billion in arms sales, including THAAD systems, F-16 Desert Vipers, MQ-9B drones, refueling aircraft and amphibious vehicles, with procurement led by Lockheed Martin, Boeing and General Atomics. Qatar also committed $10 billion to expand infrastructure at Al Udeid Air Base, further reinforcing long-term U.S. basing. In the tech sector, U.S. firm Quantinuum and Al Rabban Capital formed a $1 billion joint venture to advance quantum computing and workforce development. The largest commercial deal of the trip was Qatar Airways’ $96 billion order of 210 Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft powered by GE engines, a record-setting transaction expected to support over 1 million U.S. jobs. Parsons secured up to $96 billion in engineering contracts across 30 infrastructure projects, while McDermott finalized $8.5 billion in energy infrastructure agreements with Qatar Energy.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE committed to $1.6 billion in U.S. arms purchases, including Chinook helicopters, F-16 components and sustainment parts for multiple air platforms. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and UAE officials signed a letter of intent establishing a Major Defense Partnership, outlining a structured roadmap for future military coordination. The UAE also joined the U.S. National Guard State Partnership Program through a bilateral agreement with Texas and launched a defense research and development (R&D) initiative with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and Tawazun Council. Technology deals focused on AI and cloud infrastructure, led by a joint agreement to build the “UAE Stargate” data center, touted as the largest outside the United States, with Nvidia, Cisco and Oracle among key partners. Qualcomm announced a new Engineer Center in Abu Dhabi, while Amazon and e& launched the “UAE Sovereign Launchpad,” aimed at contributing $181 billion to the Emirati digital economy by 2033. The UAE also pledged to match or exceed U.S. data center capacity investments. On the commercial front, Etihad Airways agreed to purchase 28 Boeing aircraft in a $14.5 billion deal, Emirates Global Aluminum committed $4 billion to build a new smelter facility in Oklahoma and ADNOC entered a $60 billion partnership with ExxonMobil, Occidental and EOG Resources to expand oil and gas production.
Next Steps
President Trump’s Gulf state tour and announced deals provide a clear illustration for the near-term future of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and beyond. Engagement with the United States under the Trump administration centers around deals-based diplomacy, providing the U.S. economy with tangible wins that bolster President Trump’s America-First agenda. Under this new set of parameters, Gulf states and their sovereign wealth funds are positioned to significantly enhance their relationship with the United States through real investments in meaningful projects. The creation of several new partnerships meant to bolster AI infrastructure, quantum computing, energy security, and military modernization provides insight into the blueprint of future POTUS visits. Brownstein, which was on the ground in the Middle East for this historic visit, is uniquely positioned to help clients navigate how to leverage such trips into significant growth and investment opportunities. Brownstein will continue to monitor the status of planned infrastructure and technology investment deals and provide strategic guidance to clients navigating or seeking participation in this dynamic environment.
Brownstein’s International Group has extensive experience connecting U.S. businesses with foreign and sovereign entities. Our team has deep expertise facilitating market entry for U.S. businesses in the Middle East and unique relationships with key government and diplomatic officials to leverage for client needs. For information on how to navigate this energized business environment across the Gulf and engage U.S. policymakers on foreign investment opportunities, please contact Samantha Carl-Yoder and Lauren Diekman.
THIS DOCUMENT IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE YOU WITH GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING RECENT DEALS ANNOUNCED WITH MIDDLE EASTERN NATIONS. THE CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT ARE NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC LEGAL ADVICE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT OR IF YOU NEED LEGAL ADVICE AS TO AN ISSUE, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEYS LISTED OR YOUR REGULAR BROWNSTEIN HYATT FARBER SCHRECK, LLP ATTORNEY. THIS COMMUNICATION MAY BE CONSIDERED ADVERTISING IN SOME JURISDICTIONS.