UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with US President Donald Trump meet at the White House in Washington on May 15, 2017. ARCHIVE

US President Donald Trump is set to visit the UAE as part of his first state visit to the Gulf since returning to office in January. The three-day tour includes stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, with major economic and diplomatic moves expected along the way. Here’s what to know about Trump’s UAE visit and its significance.

When and where is Trump visiting?

Trump began his Gulf tour in Riyadh on Tuesday (May 13). He attended a Gulf summit in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (May 14) and headed to Qatar the same day. He wraps up his trip in the UAE on Thursday (May 15).

What is on Trump’s agenda in the UAE?

In Abu Dhabi, Trump will meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss a series of high-value investment and tech agreements. Topics include: • AI, semiconductors, and energy sector investments • Microchip exports and Biden-era tech export restrictions • Support for the UAE’s AI 2031 strategy to become a global leader in artificial intelligence The UAE previously pledged a $1.4 trillion investment in US industries over the next decade.

Will Trump revive the Abraham Accords?

Yes. Trump aims to expand the Abraham Accords, which normalized ties between the UAE, Bahrain, and Israel during his first term. According to Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, the administration is pushing to include Saudi Arabia in the agreement, despite the kingdom putting normalization talks on hold following Israel’s war in Gaza in late 2023. However, there is resistance to Trump’s proposal to redevelop Gaza and relocate residents to other Arab countries—a plan Arab leaders rejected in a recent Riyadh summit.

What is Trump’s broader Gulf agenda?

Beyond the UAE, Trump seeks to: • Secure over $1 trillion in Saudi investments in the US • Finalize $100+ billion in arms deals with Riyadh • Discuss military cooperation with Qatar • Push for a ceasefire in Gaza and possibly propose a US-backed peace framework • Uncouple Saudi nuclear cooperation from normalization with Israel—a shift from Biden-era policy

Why is Trump skipping Israel?

Trump’s decision not to visit Israel stems from the ongoing Gaza conflict, which intensified after Israel broke a ceasefire on March 18. A senior US official told Axios, “Nothing good can come out of a visit to Israel at the moment.” ICA/CAM/Expat Media
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