President Donald Trump, during the final stop of his business-focused Gulf tour, announced that the United Arab Emirates and the United States had established a pathway for the UAE to acquire advanced AI semiconductors from American firms—a notable achievement for Abu Dhabi as it strives to position itself as a leading global centre for AI.
Trump concluded his tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE with a pledge from Abu Dhabi, the wealthiest emirate and UAE capital, to increase its energy investments in the United States to USD 440 billion over the coming decade.
He returned to Washington after a series of high-level meetings across the Gulf, aimed at securing major investment pledges from oil-rich states to help stimulate the U.S. economy and support employment.
Back in March, senior UAE officials had presented a 10-year, USD 1.4 trillion investment strategy focused on key U.S. sectors such as energy, artificial intelligence, and manufacturing.
“We are making real progress on the USD 1.4 trillion the UAE has committed to invest in the United States,” Trump said in Abu Dhabi, wrapping up a four-day tour that remained primarily focused on economic cooperation.
The AI semiconductor deal is a strategic win for the UAE, reflecting a balancing act between its strong relationship with the U.S. and extensive trade ties with China.
Among over USD 200 billion in new UAE investments, Etihad Airways committed USD 14.5 billion towards purchasing Boeing aircraft. ADNOC’s CEO Sultan Al Jaber confirmed energy investments would grow to USD 440 billion by 2035, with reciprocal commitments from U.S. firms in the UAE.
