Qatari cybertrucks, elite camels and trillion-dollar vows: Why Gulf international locations are going all out for Trump’s talk over with

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — If the Arab Gulf states had been to carry a recognition contest presently, President Donald Trump will be the promenade king.

The 45th and 47th president of the United States was once greeted with impressive fanfare in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates all over his 4-day talk over with to the area.

In Riyadh, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman broke royal protocol by way of for my part greeting the president at the tarmac. Trump’s motorcade from Qatar’s Doha airport was once flanked by way of vivid purple Tesla cybertrucks and riders on horseback. And in Abu Dhabi, UAE chief Mohammed bin Zayed awarded his American counterpart with the Order of Zayed Award, the country’s best civil honor.

As if that wasn’t sufficient, a parade of royal camels welcomed Trump out of doors the Amiri Diwan, Qatar’s presidential place of business. Speaking to Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Trump made it transparent he was once inspired.

“As a construction guy, this is perfect marble,” Trump mentioned, gesturing to the partitions and columns of the palace. “This is what they call perfecto. We appreciate those camels,” he added. “I haven’t seen camels like that in a long time. And really, we appreciate it very much.”

The optics of the U.S. chief’s Middle East talk over with had been sturdy, showcasing the larger-than-life opulence of the area’s richest petrostates — and what kind of of that wealth they’re prepared to spend to deepen their ties with the U.S. and advance their very own financial agendas.

The numbers are ancient. Qatar and the U.S. agreed on a $1.2 trillion “economic exchange”; Saudia Arabia promised to speculate $600 billion within the U.S., and primary tasks had been signed with the United Arab Emirates, after Abu Dhabi in March dedicated to a 10-year, $1.4 trillion funding framework within the U.S.

There stays some doubt as as to if the ones numbers are reasonable, particularly all over a duration of low oil costs and weaker earnings for crude-producing international locations. And probably the most offers, like Qatar’s file order of 210 Boeing jets and Saudi Arabia’s $142 billion hands care for the U.S. — the biggest guns deal ever inked — will most likely take many years to pan out.

But the message was once transparent: the Gulf states need to be first in line with regards to partnering with the U.S., whether or not it’s for industry, army, or tech.

“The Gulf has always gotten along better with business-first presidents, and President Trump fits that mold perfectly,” Tarik Solomon, board member and previous chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia, advised CNBC.

“He still symbolizes fast money, big defense, and access to American tech. So, if cozying up to him helps secure a seat at the table of the next world order, the Gulf is bringing the gold-plated chair.”

Some observers prompt the 3 Gulf international locations had been competing with one some other for Trump’s affection. But many within the area say it is extra of a long-term, strategic alignment.

“I do not view the big economic announcements as a competition among the three countries; rather, they reflect a competition with other regions — Europe for example — for a closer relation with the U.S. administration,” mentioned Ahmed Rashad, an Abu Dhabi-based assistant professor of economics on the Economic Research Forum.

“The economic deals appear vital to increase the attractiveness of the Middle East visit. On the other hand, the primary motive of the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] countries appears to be strengthening relations with the U.S. and securing access to advanced technologies,” Rashad mentioned.

The bromance vibes had been actual in Saudi Arabia particularly, the place Trump and Mohammed bin Salman heaped reward on every different in remarks made all over the U.S.-Saudi Investment Summit. The match, held within the opulent Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, was once attended by way of ratings of most sensible American CEOs together with the likes of Tesla’s Elon Musk, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and BlackRock‘s Larry Fink, to call a couple of.

In the UAE, in the meantime, Trump and Emirati chief Mohammed bin Zayed lauded their private friendship and the greater than 50-year alliance between their international locations. The talk over with was once the primary by way of an American president to the UAE since George W. Bush visited the sheikhdom in 2008.

The heat frame language and free-flowing mutual compliments signified a stark distinction in tone from visits to the rustic by way of officers from the Biden management, that have been peppered with stress.

The UAE already seems to be reaping benefits from the shift in manner. Recent experiences say the U.S. has a initial settlement with the UAE to permit it to import, for the primary time, 500,000 of Nvidia’s H100 chips according to yr — probably the most complicated chips the American corporate produces. This would boost up the barren region sheikhdom’s skill to the construct knowledge facilities had to energy its AI fashions.

“Trump’s trip to the Gulf reflects the increasing personalization of geopolitics,” mentioned Taufiq Rahim, most important at 2040 Advisory and creator of “Trump 2.5: A Primer.”

“The region’s leaders have responded accordingly, putting on an ornate display for the visiting president. Flattery and compliments become as important to the announcement and substance of deals.”

The longer-term query, Rahim famous, facilities at the viability of the investments.

“For example, how many data centers are even needed? In an effort to be the ‘biggest’, the outlay by each country may actually create excess supply that surpasses demand in certain sectors,” he mentioned.

Shoot-for-the-moon pledges are nonetheless the suitable technique consistent with the American Chamber of Commerce’s Solomon — whether or not every greenback comes via over the following a number of years is an issue that may be handled later.

“Sure, a lot of it is theater,” he mentioned. “But in this region, signaling ambition is half the game. Even if only 50% sticks, it’s still an impactful play.”

Correction: This article has been up to date to replicate that Tarik Solomon is the previous chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia.