Trump receives grand welcome in UAE, AI deals expected during visit
text_fields
US President Donald Trump landed in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, becoming only the second sitting American president to visit the United Arab Emirates. The high-profile two-day visit began with a ceremonial welcome and is expected to yield significant economic and diplomatic outcomes, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence.
Trump was received at the Presidential Terminal of Abu Dhabi airport by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with other senior Emirati leaders, including Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak. The US President's arrival was marked by a military aircraft escort into UAE airspace, highlighting the importance of the visit.
On Thursday, Trump visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a major architectural and religious landmark. He later made a brief stop at the Ritz-Carlton before heading to Qasr Al Watan, the UAE’s presidential palace, where an official welcoming ceremony was held.
Trump held bilateral talks with Sheikh Mohamed at Qasr Al Watan, focusing on strengthening strategic ties and fostering economic cooperation. The discussions were followed by a formal state dinner.
A central theme of this visit is technological cooperation, especially in artificial intelligence. Multiple agreements are expected to be signed between US and UAE firms, especially following the US government’s recent decision to reverse a Biden-era restriction that had limited the export of advanced AI chips, such as Nvidia’s Blackwell series, to foreign buyers, including those in the Gulf.
On Friday, Trump is scheduled to meet US embassy staff, attend a US-UAE business forum, and visit the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island, a symbol of interfaith dialogue. He is expected to depart for Washington DC by mid-afternoon.
Trump earlier predicted that deals worth between $3.5 trillion and $4 trillion could be pledged over the course of his Middle East engagements, with the UAE visit poised to be a major contributor to that projection.
