US President Donald Trump arrived in Abu Dhabi on May 15 on a state visit to the United Arab Emirates, marking the final stop of his three-country Gulf tour, with the country expected to sign $1.4 trillion in deals. 

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan greeted Trump and his delegation at the Presidential Airport. As Trump's aircraft entered UAE airspace, it received a ceremonial escort of military jets, with the squadron leader extending a welcome on behalf of the UAE.

Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan said in his meeting with Trump, following a day of activities, that the countries would sign $1.4 trillion in deals over the next two years, as part of respective deals. 

Trump followed with calling the Sheikh a "true warrior", saying he was "very generous" for the contracts, and he said he had no doubt the relationship between the two countries would get "bigger and better." Trump noted that the US was the "hottest country," noting that before his administration, the US was getting "very bad vibes."

He added that "he was very proud of Space Force", the US space agency that Trump created in his first administration, before adding that he was proud of his country's new growing enlistments in the army and police.    

The Emirati royal also bestowed upon the US president the Order of Zayed, the highest honour of the Emirates ever given to a foreign leader. 

Senior Emirati officials present included Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the United States.

The United States and UAE are expected to finalise a technology framework agreement later on May 15, according to a source familiar with the matter, Reuters later reported. The agreement would require commitments from both nations regarding technology security.

This potential deal represents a significant achievement for the UAE in its ambitions to become a global artificial intelligence powerhouse, particularly as the US continues pursuing protectionist policies to limit China's access to advanced semiconductor technology.

The White House, US Commerce Department, and the foreign ministries of the UAE and China have not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the technology agreement.

Trump's visit to the UAE follows earlier stops in Saudi Arabia and Qatar as part of his Middle East tour, which focuses on regional security and economic partnerships.

Aside from the Trump meeting, the Indo-UAE Conclave in Dubai, UAE Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi says that he finds the US president a good-faith, business-minded negotiating partner.

“At the end of the day, President Trump is a businessman. He wants to strike a deal. He is looking at added value to the US. We have to look at the same thing from our own angle,” Al Zeyoudi said, in comments reported by Gulf News.

“The good thing about Trump and him being a businessman is that he sits at the table and starts negotiating. Yes, he raises the bar of his demand at the beginning,” he said.