Trump Secures $200 Billion UAE Deal, Unveils AI Megaproject Amid Middle East Realignment

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday May 15, announced a sweeping set of agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) totaling more than $200 billion, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in aviation, artificial intelligence, and trade. The announcement followed Trump’s meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the presidential palace, Qasr Al Watan.

According to Reuters, Among the deals is a $14.5 billion commitment from Etihad Airways to purchase 28 Boeing aircraft, including 787 and next-generation 777X models, powered by GE Aerospace engines. “With the inclusion of the next-generation 777X in its fleet plan, the investment deepens the longstanding commercial aviation partnership between the UAE and the United States,” the White House said in a statement, as reported by The Hindu. Etihad Airways, Boeing, and GE Aerospace have not yet commented on the agreement.

In a symbolic gesture of appreciation, Trump was awarded the Order of Zayed, the UAE’s highest civilian honor, by Sheikh Mohamed during the state visit.

As reported by CNN World, the two nations also launched a new framework called the U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, aimed at fostering innovation in artificial intelligence. Trump and Sheikh Mohamed jointly unveiled a massive 5-gigawatt AI campus ,expected to be the largest outside the U.S., reflecting the UAE’s ambition to become a global tech hub.

According to the White House, the agreement includes a UAE commitment to invest in, build, or finance data centers in the United States that are comparable in size and power to those being developed in the Gulf country. The deal also contains “historic commitments” by the UAE to align its national security regulations with U.S. standards, with specific emphasis on preventing the diversion of U.S.-origin technology.

As noted by The Indian Express, this strategic partnership is viewed as a major diplomatic win for the UAE, which has been trying to balance relations between its traditional ally, the United States, and its largest trading partner, China. Under former President Joe Biden, the UAE’s access to advanced American semiconductors was limited due to concerns over Chinese involvement in Emirati tech infrastructure.

Trump’s policy shift appears to favor closer technological integration with the UAE, providing Washington with stronger influence in the region’s digital future.

Trump’s Middle East tour included a broader realignment of U.S. relations in the region. According to PTI, he also announced plans to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria and revealed a separate $600 billion agreement with Saudi Arabia a move likely to reshape geopolitical dynamics in the Gulf.

The UAE, meanwhile, continues to pour billions into its AI ambitions, with support from key American firms. Its Apple-like aspirations to become a global digital superpower are now more aligned with Washington’s interests