Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency has quickly reshaped America’s foreign policy, especially in the Middle East. Just weeks into his second term, Trump embarked on a high-stakes regional tour that brought in over $1.4 trillion in economic deals and signaled a renewed American focus on peace-building and industrial cooperation.
Trump’s first stop was Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally and one of the richest nations in the region. His visit was followed by stops in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. In the UAE, Trump secured a $200 billion deal involving aviation, energy, and artificial intelligence. One major highlight was the plan to build a 26-square-kilometer AI campus in Abu Dhabi, expected to produce 5 gigawatts of power. Israeli tech firms are expected to take part in the project.
In Saudi Arabia, Trump signed contracts worth $600 billion, covering energy, defense, and infrastructure. Qatar added another $243 billion through agreements focused on aviation and energy. Among the key beneficiaries were Boeing and GE Aerospace. Boeing alone landed a $96 billion deal with Qatar Airways and a $14.5 billion contract with Etihad Airways in the UAE.
The energy sector also saw major developments. ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum, and EOG Resources signed a $60 billion partnership with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Emirates Global Aluminum also entered joint ventures with American firms to boost aluminum and gallium production.
During the U.S.–Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Riyadh, Trump emphasized the expansion of the Abraham Accords. He expressed hopes for a broader peace framework involving more regional countries and called for a peaceful resolution in Gaza. His vision includes a future where Middle Eastern nations collaborate on reconstruction and economic progress.
Trump also made headlines by meeting Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa. This marked a turning point in U.S.-Syria relations. Trump lifted all U.S. sanctions on Syria, including the Caesar Act, saying this move would give Syria a fresh start. He encouraged Syria to join the Abraham Accords and invited U.S. companies to invest in Syria’s oil and gas sector.
There are early signs of support from Syria, which reaffirmed its commitment to the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel. Trump’s Middle East envoy Steven Witkoff named Syria, Lebanon, Armenia, and Azerbaijan as potential new members of the Abraham Accords. Armenia’s potential inclusion is seen as a strategy to counter Iran’s influence in the region.
A peace plan for Gaza is also under development, reportedly supported by the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The plan would see Hamas and other militant groups surrender their weapons to an unnamed Arab party. Military leaders would leave Gaza, and temporary camps would house civilians during the rebuilding process.
Under this plan, an Arab-American committee would govern Gaza during reconstruction. It would include representatives from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the U.S., and the EU. Palestinians would be represented by civilian experts in engineering, economics, and administration. The goal is to remove extremist groups from the region and lay the foundation for long-term peace and development.
