Trump’s $3 Trillion Gulf Tour: Aviation, Defense, and AI at the Heart of Mega Deals
by Watan News, May 8, 2025
Watan- U.S. President Donald Trump is in the Middle East for a regional tour to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, aiming to finalize deals estimated at around $3 trillion. These countries had already invested heavily in the American economy during Trump’s first term.
According to a Bloomberg report, the three Gulf states are looking to leverage the visit to strengthen their aviation and defense industries by turning commercial deals into strategic political gains.
Bloomberg reports that major Middle Eastern airlines are racing to close major agreements ahead of the visit. Qatar Airways is reportedly finalizing the largest deal: an order of about 100 wide-body aircraft from Boeing, with an option to double that number.
In Saudi Arabia, the startup airline Riyadh Air is reportedly considering a purchase of up to 50 wide-body aircraft, potentially leaning toward Airbus, whose CEO visited Riyadh recently. However, Boeing remains the central focus, especially given Qatar Airways’ plans to expand its Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X fleets.
Qatar Airways may also order additional Airbus A350-1000 jets, though any new Airbus-related announcements are expected at the Paris Air Show in June or later at the Dubai Air Show. Boeing, Airbus, and Qatar Airways all declined to comment. Riyadh Air confirmed that a “major wide-body aircraft procurement campaign is underway,” with a decision expected in the coming months.
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The White House is pressuring Gulf nations to increase investments in U.S. infrastructure, energy, defense, and manufacturing, aiming for sums well above the $400 billion committed by Saudi Arabia in 2017. Trump now seeks to raise Saudi investments to $1 trillion, following Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s pledge of $600 billion over four years.
In March, the UAE informed Trump of plans to invest $1.4 trillion in the U.S. economy over the next decade, including $100 billion in a joint AI project with Trump. The investment would also cover semiconductors, energy, and manufacturing. Similar commitments are expected from Qatar, as Trump visits Doha for the first time as president.
Weapons sales are expected to increase during Trump’s stop in Riyadh. Bloomberg reports that possible acquisitions include Boeing F-15EX fighter jets. Last week, the U.S. approved $3.5 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia, including 1,000 AIM-120C-8 air-to-air missiles, 50 guidance units, and related logistical support.
The United States remains the world’s largest arms exporter, controlling 43% of global sales, according to SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute). More than half of the Middle East’s arms imports have come from the U.S. in recent years.
The UAE will be the final stop on Trump’s tour. Emirates Airlines, Boeing’s largest wide-body customer globally, usually announces major deals at the Dubai Air Show held every two years in November. Emirates is reportedly in the market for more Boeing 777X aircraft, while FlyDubai, its sister company, is eyeing hundreds of Boeing 737s.
Bloomberg adds that negotiations linked to Trump’s visit may also include the purchase of hundreds of General Electric engines to power Boeing jets. FlyDubai is reportedly preparing to purchase about 70 GE engines for its Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
As with Trump’s previous Gulf visit, any deal announcements may include a mix of finalized contracts, preliminary agreements, and re-announced deals—some of which could be inflated in value or non-binding.
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