Live updates: Follow the latest on Trump's Gulf trip
The arrival of US President Donald Trump in the UAE was anything but ordinary. On only the second visit by a sitting American president to the country, Abu Dhabi made sure to mark it in style.
Artillery fire cracked in rhythmic salute beyond the walls of Qasr Al Watan, echoing through the palace’s majestic courtyards.
Inside, lining a long blue carpet, honour guards stood with backs straight and gazes fixed. Every detail precise. Then came Mr Trump, walking alongside President Sheikh Mohamed, pausing between the flags of the strategically allied nations as the anthems played.
Offering his American guest a warm welcome, Sheikh Mohamed said: "Today, I reaffirm to you that the UAE remains committed to working with the US to advance peace and stability in our region and globally." In response, Mr Trump said the two men have been "friends for a long time".
"We're going to treat you magnificently," he added, referring to future co-operation between the two nations. "You're a magnificent man and it's an honour to be with you." Sheikh Mohamed then bestowed upon Mr Trump the Order of Zayed, the UAE's highest civilian honour.
The medal, which is made of gold and named after UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is a rare honour that has been granted to presidents and dignitaries from around the world over the years. Mr Trump is the first US president to receive the award since George W Bush in 2008. Mr Trump later signed the VIP guestbook.
A historic visit
Earlier, Mr Trump was met at the Presidential Airport by Sheikh Mohamed. The two men walked along a ceremonial path lined with flags and flanked by guards in blue, green and beige.
Next, he visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, where he was accompanied by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. He made a short stop at his hotel, the Ritz-Carlton on the Grand Canal, before heading to Qasr Al Watan. At the presidential palace, he was introduced to four UAE astronauts, and was seen at first in conversation with Hazza Al Mansouri and Sultan Al Neyadi.
Maj Al Mansouri was the first Emirati in space when he spent eight days on board the International Space Station in September 2019, while Dr Al Neyadi , now the Minister of State for Youth Affairs, was the first Arab to perform a spacewalk during his six-month stint on the ISS in 2023.
Mr Trump then met Nora Al Matrooshi, the first Arab woman to graduate from Nasa’s astronaut programme, and fellow 2024 graduate Mohammed Al Mulla, who both hope to one day walk on the Moon.
It is expected that a deal will be struck on artificial intelligence and technology in the coming days, with UAE and US officials "actively engaged" in talks, a source told The National. Another source familiar with the US side confirmed that efforts are under way to try to finalise a deal. "There’s a de-hyphenation between technology, energy and geopolitics in the Middle East … it's a watershed moment," the source explained.
Political, economic and diplomatic issues have been discussed so far in Riyadh and Doha as part of Mr Trump's four-day visit to the Gulf, with more talks scheduled in the Emirates on Thursday and Friday.
On Friday, Mr Trump is scheduled to meet US embassy staff, take part in a US-UAE business event and visit the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island, a symbol of interfaith dialogue. He will depart for Washington DC by mid-afternoon on Friday.
US President Donald Trump in Abu Dhabi – in pictures
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President Sheikh Mohamed bids farewell to US President Donald Trump. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed waves as Mr Trump's aircraft leaves the Presidential Airport. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential -
Mr Trump aboard Air Force One. Ismaeel Al Zaher / UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Trump. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
Mr Trump and senior officials visit the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office -
Mr Trump at the Abrahamic Family House. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office -
Mr Trump at the Abrahamic Family House. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office -
Mr Trump attends the UAE-US Business Dialogue alongside Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, at Qasr Al Watan. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Mr Trump receives a small bottle of the UAE's Murban crude oil at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Mr Trump and Sheikh Khaled at the UAE-US Business Dialogue. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The UAE-US Business Dialogue. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Mr Trump at the UAE-US Business Dialogue. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Mr Trump and Sheikh Khaled at Qasr Al Watan. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
President of the United States of America Donald Trump attends the UAE-US Business Dialogue at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi during his tour of the Middle East. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed watches as US President Donald Trump signs the guest book at Qasr Al Watan, in Abu Dhabi. UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Trump are given a tour by Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE astronaut and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, of an exhibition titled Guided by the Stars at the presidential palace. UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Khaled and Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and UAE National Security Adviser, attend the reception for Mr Trump at Qasr Al Watan. UAE Presidential Court -
Mr Trump greets Jensen Huang, president and chief executive of Nvidia, at Qasr Al Watan as Sheikh Mohamed watches. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Trump view a model of the UAE-US AI Cluster, during the launch ceremony at Qasr Al Watan. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed presents the Order of Zayed to Mr Trump during the state reception at Qasr Al Watan. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed speaks with Mr Trump at Qasr Al Watan. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Trump stand for the national anthems at Qasr Al Watan. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Trump stand for the national anthems. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Trump view an exhibition titled ‘Guided By the Stars’ at Qasr Al Watan, and speak with UAE astronaut and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Dr Sultan Al Neyadi. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court -
The ceremony at Qasr Al Watan is attended by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence; and Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
Also standing for the national anthems at Qasr Al Watan are Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defence Affairs; Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade; Mohamed Al Suwaidi, Minister of Investment; Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education; Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc; Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Mohamed Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for National Security; and Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and managing director and group chief executive of Mubadala Investment Company. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
Heritage band musicians perform as Mr Trump arrives at Qasr Al Watan. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court -
Children wave UAE and US flags at Qasr Al Watan. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Trump arrive at Qasr Al Watan. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Mohamed meets Mr Trump after his arrival at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Trump in discussion at the Presidential Airport. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court -
Mr Trump arrives in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Mr Trump arrives in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Traditional drummers greet the US President on his arrival. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A participant in the ceremony welcoming Mr Trump to Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Participants in the welcoming ceremony for Mr Trump. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Participants help to welcome Mr Trump to Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Mohamed with Mr Trump. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
UAE Air Force fighter jets accompany Air Force One, carrying Mr Trump, as it approaches Abu Dhabi. Reuters
