The UAE meanwhile, seized what the diplomatic adviser to the UAE president described to CNN as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a significant contributor in AI and advanced technology”.
In a bid to become the regional tech hub, Abu Dhabi also sent its national security adviser, to the White House earlier in March to close a 10-year, US$1.4 trillion investment deal with Washington. Abu Dhabi’s 5-GW data centre campus, unveiled during Mr Trump’s visit, will make OpenAI its primary anchor tenant.
BOEING AND DEFENCE, THE CHIEF BENEFICIARIES
If spending big was required to make the US President think harder about American security commitments – the top item on the Gulf states’ wish list – the Saudi, Qatari and Emirati leaders proved they understood the assignment.
Among the CEOs in the entourage, it was Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg who got the biggest fillip.
The American aircraft manufacturer, together with GE Aerospace, secured a landmark order from Qatar Airways: a US$96 billion agreement to acquire up to 210 planes and more than 400 engines. A similar deal worth US$14.5 billion was struck with Abu Dhabi-based carrier Etihad Airways, bringing total Boeing sales announced during Mr Trump’s trip to 268 aircraft.
Boeing has endured a rough couple of years, not least because of safety concerns, and the fact that Europe’s Airbus has outpaced it in plane orders for five straight years.
