On May 16, 2025, United States President Donald Trump concluded a substantial tour of the Gulf region in the United Arab Emirates, marked by commitments of vast financial investments and a notable shift in diplomatic stances towards Syria and the ongoing nuclear discussions with Iran.

This tour followed successes in Saudi Arabia, where Trump reportedly secured $600 billion in investments, and in Qatar, where a $200 billion contract for Boeing was finalized.

While in Abu Dhabi, Trump received a commitment of $1.4 trillion in investments over the next decade from Emirati officials, a pledge described as unprecedented by both parties.

During a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Trump stated, "You are an extraordinary country.

You are a rich country.

You can choose, but I know you will always be on my side," showing his alignment with the ruling monarchies of the region.

On this tour, Trump made headline-grabbing remarks regarding various crises in the Middle East.

In his discussions in Doha and Riyadh, he expressed optimism about reaching a nuclear agreement with Tehran, revealing that discussions between Washington and the Iranian government had been progressing, which reportedly led to a decline in global oil prices.

In a surprising announcement during his visit to Saudi Arabia, Trump proclaimed the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria, which has been embroiled in a prolonged civil conflict.

His meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Chareh, a former jihadist who played a role in the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, underscored this diplomatic pivot.

Concerning the Gaza Strip, Trump proposed to take control of the territory affected by over a year and a half of conflict between Israel and Palestinian factions.

The Hamas movement responded by asserting, "Gaza is not for sale," rejecting Trump's framing of the region's future.

Trump characterized his tour as "historic," claiming it could yield a cumulative benefit of $3.5 to $4 trillion over a span of just a few days.

Reports from local outlets indicated that the UAE aims to establish a partnership with the United States focusing on technology and artificial intelligence as part of its broader economic diversification efforts.

This visit starkly contrasted with the previous administration's approach under President Joe Biden, which emphasized human rights and democratic principles in foreign relations.

Such themes were notably absent from Trump's engagements in the Gulf, where transactional diplomacy took precedence.