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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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
One-off T20 International: UAE v Australia
When: Monday, October 22, 2pm start
Where: Abu Dhabi Cricket, Oval 1
Tickets: Admission is free
Australia squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Darcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa, Peter Siddle
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
UAE squad
Rohan Mustafa (captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Ghulam Shabber, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Naveed, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan
The years Ramadan fell in May
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
Innotech Profile
Date started: 2013
Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari
Based: Muscat, Oman
Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies
Size: 15 full-time employees
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
Investors: Oman Technology Fund from 2017 to 2019, exited through an agreement with a new investor to secure new funding that it under negotiation right now.
