U.S. President Donald Trump is set to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates on May 13 in a high-stakes diplomatic mission focused on regional security, economic partnerships, and technology policy.
The visit comes amid escalating global tensions, including the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, oil price fluctuations, and stalled nuclear negotiations with Iran. Trump will engage regional leaders in discussions on ceasefire efforts, new trade and investment agreements, and potential policy shifts around semiconductors and civilian nuclear cooperation.
“We expect to see a lot of announcements. And I think in a broad spectrum of areas as well,” said Monica Malik, chief economist at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, noting that lifting Trump-era tariffs on aluminum and steel could benefit Gulf economies, even if modestly.
Business Meets Diplomacy
Coinciding with Trump’s arrival, Saudi Arabia will host a U.S.-Saudi investment forum drawing top business leaders, including BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Palantir’s Alex Karp, and executives from Alphabet, IBM, Qualcomm, and Citigroup. Also attending is U.S. AI and crypto official David Sacks.
“We also expect to see a lot of investment deals being announced,” Malik added, pointing to the growing two-way capital flows between the Gulf and the U.S. in areas like AI, clean energy, and manufacturing.
AI, Semiconductors and Export Policy
A key issue during the trip will be technology transfer. Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are investing heavily in AI and infrastructure but have yet to gain access to the most advanced U.S. semiconductor technologies due to export restrictions.
In a policy shift, the Trump administration announced it would roll back a Biden-era rule limiting AI chip exports, replacing it with what it described as “a much simpler rule that unleashes American innovation and ensures American AI dominance,” though the new rule’s details remain unclear.
UAE-based AI company G42, which has aligned itself with U.S. regulations and partnered with Microsoft following a $1.5 billion investment, is seen as a key beneficiary of this potential thaw in tech controls.
Nuclear Talks and Regional Security
Trump’s team is also engaged in parallel discussions with Iran over its nuclear program, with backing from Gulf allies. Notably, Saudi Arabia is seeking U.S. cooperation for its own civilian nuclear ambitions — a process that may now proceed without the previous precondition of normalizing ties with Israel.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright hinted at progress during an April visit, saying both sides were on a “pathway” to a civil nuclear agreement, though any major developments are expected to be announced by Trump himself.
Gaza Crisis and Ceasefire Efforts
The future of Gaza will be a central topic. Trump has pledged to end the war but has stirred controversy by suggesting the U.S. could control the territory, calling it “important real estate” — remarks that have drawn backlash from Arab leaders.
The U.S. is continuing efforts to mediate a ceasefire, most recently proposing a 21-day truce and partial hostage release. However, Israel has moved in the opposite direction, expanding its operations in Gaza.
Oil and Strategic Financing
Oil production and pricing are also high on the agenda. Trump has consistently pressed OPEC, led by Saudi Arabia, to boost output to ease pressure on American consumers. But with low oil prices straining Saudi revenues, Riyadh may soon have to scale back production.
“As they look to progress with their investment program,” Malik said, “Saudi will look at more financing support from America as well.”
The kingdom is balancing U.S. investment pledges — including a $600 billion commitment over Trump’s term — with its own costly Vision 2030 development goals, all while managing rising fiscal deficits.
Gulf Naming Controversy?
Finally, reports indicate the Trump administration may officially rename the Persian Gulf as the “Arabian Gulf” — a symbolic move likely to please Arab states but provoke sharp reactions from Iran, potentially complicating ongoing nuclear negotiations.
The visit signals a reset in U.S. Gulf relations with a clear focus: peace, profit, and geopolitical realignment, all under Trump’s signature deal-making approach.
