In May 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump completed a four-day visit to the Middle East, covering Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The main focus of this trip was to strengthen economic ties rather than engage in traditional diplomacy. The White House announced that the visit resulted in investment agreements worth over $2 trillion, involving key sectors such as defence, aviation, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and energy.

• This visit marked a shift in U.S. foreign policy, with President Trump adopting a business-first approach that prioritises economic partnerships over long-standing political alliances. By focusing on trade and investment, the tour reflects Trump’s strategy of using economic influence as a tool for international engagement. However, this shift also raises questions about the future of U.S. relationships with traditional allies like Israel and India, and how these changes might affect regional dynamics in the Middle East.

Overview of Trade Agreements:

As per the estimates of the White House following were the agreements reached:

• Saudi Arabia: $600 billion investment commitment, focused on defence and technology
• Qatar: $243.5 billion in commercial and defence deals; part of a broader $1.2 trillion economic agreement
• UAE: $200 billion in deals, advancing a 10-year $1.2 trillion investment pledge made earlier

Major Investment Sectors:

1. Aviation:

• UAE: Etihad Airways committed $14.5 billion to purchase 28 Boeing aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines.
• Qatar: Qatar Airways signed Boeing’s largest-ever widebody aircraft deal, purchasing 160 jets with options for 50 more, totalling $96 billion.
• Controversy: Qatar gifted Trump a $400 million Boeing 747-8, sparking bipartisan criticism.

2. Defence and Security:

• Saudi Arabia: Signed a $142 billion defence deal, claimed to be the largest in history, involving advanced U.S. weaponry.
• Qatar:
• $97 billion in contracts awarded to U.S. firm Parsons
• $10 billion investment in a U.S. military facility
• $42 billion in weapon purchases from American firms

3. Artificial Intelligence and Data Infrastructure:

• Saudi Arabia: DataVolt pledged $20 billion for AI data centres and energy infrastructure in the U.S.
• US-Saudi tech partnerships: Companies like Google, Oracle, Salesforce, and Uber committed $80 billion in joint investments.
• UAE: Announced the largest AI data centre outside the U.S. in Abu Dhabi, with 5GW data processing capacity.

4. Science and Technology:

• Qatar:

• $1 billion investment in quantum tech with Quantinuum
• $1 billion for counter-drone systems from Raytheon RTX
• $2 billion with General Atomics for drone acquisitions

5. Aluminium and Energy:

• UAE: Emirates Global Aluminium to invest $4 billion in a primary aluminium smelter in Oklahoma.
• Joint ventures involving ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum, and others aim to expand oil and gas output with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, amounting to $60 billion.

6. Infrastructure:

• U.S. firms such as Hill International, Parsons, Jacobs, and AECOM secured Saudi contracts for large-scale projects including:
• King Salman International Airport
• King Salman Park
• The Vault
• Qiddiya CityThese projects collectively involved $2 billion in U.S. investments.

Diplomatic Reconfigurations: Israel, Syria, and Iran:

1. Omission of Israel: A Significant Departure:

Notably, Trump's itinerary excluded Israel, a break from previous U.S. presidential visits to the region. This decision reflects:

• Tensions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, particularly over Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
• Shifts in U.S. domestic opinion regarding Israeli policies towards Palestinians.
• A reorientation of U.S. regional priorities towards Gulf-centric economic ties.

2. Re-engagement with Syria:

A landmark development during the visit was Trump’s meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the newly established Syrian President and a former Al-Qaeda leader. Trump:

• Lifted all U.S. sanctions on Syria, marking a significant diplomatic departure.
• Encouraged Syria’s participation in the Abraham Accords, a normalization framework initially launched during his first term.

While this could, theoretically, benefit Israel through expanded regional recognition, the lack of Israeli input in the process has raised concerns in Tel Aviv.

3. Overtures to Iran:

Trump also expressed openness to dialogue with Iran, potentially to re-enter nuclear deal negotiations in exchange for sanctions relief. This aligns with a broader trend towards pragmatic engagement over ideological isolation.

Ethical Controversies and Business Entanglements:

The US President’s visit has reignited debates surrounding the intersection of presidential duties and personal business interests:

• Real estate ventures: The Trump Organization is simultaneously marketing major projects, including an 80-story Trump Tower in Dubai and a golf resort in Qatar.
• Cryptocurrency partnerships: The Trump family-backed World Liberty Financial announced collaborations with sovereign investors in Abu Dhabi.
• Gift controversy: Trump’s acceptance of a $400 million Boeing 747-8 luxury jet from Qatar has drawn bipartisan criticism. Analysts cite:
• Potential violations of the U.S. Constitution’s emoluments clauses.
• Possible national security risks tied to foreign gifts.
• Concerns over the blurring of public service and private gain.

These developments raise pressing questions about the ethical boundaries of presidential conduct, especially when policy decisions appear to benefit associated commercial ventures.

Implications for U.S.-India Relations:

The United States’  West Asia outreach carries strategic consequences for Indo-U.S. ties, particularly in multilateral and trilateral economic frameworks:

• The Abraham Accords and follow-on initiatives like I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA) offer India new opportunities for:
• Infrastructure investment.
• Technology collaboration.
• Energy security via Gulf partnerships.
• Trump’s references to his role in de-escalating India-Pakistan tensions—especially through trade-related pressure—have been met with skepticism in New Delhi. India maintains a consistent stance that the Kashmir dispute is strictly bilateral and resists third-party mediation.
• Saudi Arabia’s parallel mediation efforts also necessitate cautious diplomacy from India to avoid compromising its long-standing foreign policy principles while engaging economically with the region.

Conclusion:

President Trump’s 2025 West Asia tour represents more than a symbolic replay of past diplomacy—it is a manifestation of a transactional, business-forward doctrine in U.S. foreign policy. By prioritizing economic cooperation over traditional alliances, engaging with controversial leaders, and blurring the lines between public policy and private enterprise, the visit reflects a significant transformation in how the United States engages with the Middle East. While some of these changes may enhance U.S. influence through economic means, they also risk undermining institutional credibility and alienating historical allies, notably Israel and potentially India. The long-term efficacy of this strategy remains to be seen, particularly as geopolitical realignments, ethical concerns, and public opinion continue to evolve.