meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

Trump 2.0 targets technology

30 January 2025

 

As Donald Trump settles into his second term, dubbed ‘Trump 2.0’, the administration is set to bring about a seismic shift in global technology, artificial intelligence (AI) regulation, data sovereignty, cryptocurrency and the ever-escalating US-China tech war.

The central role that technology is expected to play was demonstrated at Trump’s inauguration on 20 January, where Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Alphabet Inc CEO Sundar Pichai and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos had prime seats.

With Trump championing policies prioritising domestic interests and reshaping international dynamics, Middle Eastern investors and companies will play a key role in shaping this new era of tech-infused geopolitics.

The wheels are already turning. On 22 January, just two days after Trump’s inauguration, he announced that Abu Dhabi- based AI-focused fund MGX has teamed up with US-based tech firms Oracle and ChatGPT creator OpenAI, and Japan’s Softbank, to form the Stargate project, which aims to invest $500bn to build AI infrastructure in the US.

When announcing the project, Trump described it as “the largest AI infrastructure project by far in history”.

America first

Two weeks earlier, on 7 January, Hussain Sajwani, founder and chairman of UAE-based Damac Properties and Damac Group, made headlines by pledging $20bn to develop data centres in the US.

Sajwani’s $20bn commitment to US data centres is not just a business transaction – it demonstrates the UAE’s strategic pivot to align with Trump’s America First policy. Unlike the real estate deals offered by Sajwani that Trump publicly declined in 2017, the latest investment offer places resources directly into the US, promising jobs, innovation and a fortified tech infrastructure in states including Texas, Ohio and Michigan.

For MGX, Sajwani and other Gulf investors, the deal offers not only financial returns but also political capital in an administration that values loyalty and mutual economic benefit. 

The timing is also strategic: as Trump prepares to loosen regulatory constraints on AI and data, Gulf nations have the opportunity to tap into US expertise while positioning themselves as indispensable partners in the rapidly shifting tech landscape.

Tech wars

Geographically and politically, the Middle East – particularly the GCC states – sits in the middle of the simmering tech war between China and the US, which may boil over during the Trump presidency.

The decoupling of the two economies is expected to continue, with Trump reinforcing policies that discourage US companies from engaging with Chinese firms.

Policies could involve stricter foreign investment vetting and expanded technology transfer restrictions to China. The Trump administration has also threatened to impose high tariffs on Chinese goods, which could disrupt the established ties between US and Chinese tech industries. 

The ongoing tensions could lead to a bifurcation of global supply chains, with significant implications for companies operating in both markets.

For Middle Eastern countries, this decoupling offers a rare window of opportunity. As the US and China distance from one another, GCC players can position themselves as neutral ground for technology partnerships. The region could bridge the two worlds by attracting global firms to invest in regional tech hubs that offer a haven for talent and innovation.

Trump’s America First policies are also expected to accelerate the development of the US semiconductor sector, a critical component of the tech war. While this could disrupt global supply chains, it may also create demand for GCC investments in US tech manufacturing and research facilities, further deepening economic ties.

Another transformative area of Trump’s second term will be his approach to AI.

On 13 January, just days before Trump took office, the White House issued a brief of a regulation by the Department of Commerce imposing controls on the exports of advanced computing integrated circuits that support AI.

The regulation’s final draft divides countries into three tiers. Chip exports to the top-tier countries, comprising 18 of the closest US allies, are “without limit”, while the third tier is reported to comprise countries of concern, including Macau (China) and Russia.

All other nations and states, including those in the GCC, are presumed to be mid-tier countries, where a cap of approximately 50,000 graphics processing units between 2025 and 2027, will apply.

Individual companies from these countries will be able to achieve higher computing capability if they comply with US regulations and obtain validated end-user status.

The White House brief is no longer available online, but a copy of the regulation can still be found in the Federal Register, the US government’s daily journal.

Middle Eastern investors and companies will [help shape] this new era of tech-infused geopolitics

Deregulation likely

The regulation-heavy approach of former president Joe Biden’s administration will likely give way to a deregulatory environment, emphasising commercial innovation over antitrust crackdowns.

For GCC countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, this presents a double-edged sword. Both nations have ambitious AI investment plans – Abu Dhabi’s MGX partnership with BlackRock and Microsoft aims to mobilise $100bn for AI infrastructure, while Riyadh’s Project Transcendence seeks to redefine the region’s technological footprint. Trump’s deregulatory policies could catalyse innovation and partnerships with US firms, offering access to cutting-edge AI solutions.

The emphasis on deregulation may also create challenges. Without robust ethical and safety guidelines, the global AI ecosystem could face reputational risks, making cross-border collaborations more complex. For the GCC, balancing the benefits of US technological advancements with the need for ethical AI development will be a delicate dance.

As geopolitical tensions rise, the effects of Trump’s focus on data sovereignty will reach far beyond US borders. Nations increasingly prioritise data protection, creating stricter regulations to control where and how data is stored, and the GCC, with its ambitious AI and data centre projects, must adapt swiftly to these changes.

The outlook for developing energy-hungry data centres in the US could be further bolstered by plans to deregulate the energy industry. 

“If energy deregulation is unleashed, the biggest beneficiaries of Trump’s energy policies could be in data centre buildout, with implications for US leadership in AI, both in next-generation technologies and economic dominance over the coming generation,” according to a report by GlobalData’s TS Lombard.

For Middle Eastern businesses, Trump’s policies could mean stricter requirements when working with US tech firms. Data from US companies and citizens may need to be stored domestically, complicating cross-border operations. 

However, this also presents an opportunity for the GCC states to bolster their data sovereignty frameworks, attracting investments from companies seeking alternatives to US or Chinese infrastructure.

The unexpected should be expected, and the future belongs to those who adapt the fastest

Backing Bitcoin

Cryptocurrency is another major opportunity for the GCC. 

Trump’s surprising endorsement of Bitcoin – the price of which recently surged past $75,000 – signals a potential shift in US crypto policy. A more favourable regulatory environment under Trump could drive mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies, attracting investors and innovators alike.

As regional players such as the UAE have been pioneers in blockchain technology, this could catalyse further growth. 

Dubai’s Blockchain Strategy 2025, aimed at positioning the emirate as a global blockchain hub, aligns well with Trump’s pro-Bitcoin stance. By collaborating with US firms and leveraging blockchain’s potential for financial and governmental applications, the GCC could cement its position as a leader in the cryptocurrency space.

As his backing of Bitcoin demonstrates, Trump’s position on tech issues is hard to predict. This was reinforced when he issued an executive order allowing social media application TikTok to resume services to its 170 million users in the US. 

On 18 January, the Chinese-owned app stopped working in the US after a law banning it on national security grounds came into effect. Trump had previously supported plans to ban the app. 

For business and government alike, the message is clear: the unexpected should be expected, and the future belongs to those who adapt the fastest.

As Trump reshapes the global tech landscape, GCC investors like Sajwani are well positioned to capitalise on the changes. The US-China decoupling, AI deregulation and a focus on data sovereignty create openings for Middle Eastern nations to assert themselves as key players in the global tech economy.

Challenges remain. Trump’s America First policies could lead to tighter restrictions on foreign investments, requiring Gulf investors to navigate a more complex regulatory environment. Additionally, the potential talent drain to the US, driven by Trump’s prioritisation of domestic commercial interests, could slow the region’s AI ambitions.

To stay competitive, GCC nations will need to double down on their investments in education, infrastructure and innovation. By fostering homegrown talent and creating favourable conditions for international partnerships, the region can mitigate the risks of Trump’s policies while reaping the rewards. 

READ MEED’s YEARBOOK 2025

MEED’s 16th highly prized flagship Yearbook publication is available to read, offering subscribers analysis on the outlook for the Mena region’s major markets.

Published on 31 December 2024 and distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the MEED Yearbook 2025 includes:

> GIGAPROJECTS INDEX: Gigaproject spending finds a level
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/13349615/main.gif
Colin Foreman

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Rabigh 2 IPP expansion secures $2.58bn financing

    5 October 2026

    Saudi Arabia’s Rabigh 2 combined-cycle gas-turbine (CCGT) independent power project (IPP) expansion has reached financial close.

    In a disclosure to the Saudi Exchange, Acwa said it had secured SR9.69bn ($2.58bn) in long-term financing for the project, which has a generation capacity of 2,313.5MW.

    In April, MEED reported that Acwa and Saudi Energy (formerly Saudi Electricity Company) had signed a 31-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Saudi Arabia’s principal buyer, Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC), for the project.

    The project involves developing a CCGT plant in the Mecca region. It is being developed by Al-Morjan Two Electricity Company, with Acwa and Saudi Energy each owning a 40% stake in the project.

    The contract is valued at SR11.5bn ($3.07bn), the companies said in separate stock exchange filings at the time. The carbon-capture-ready power plant will be implemented under a build, own and operate contract.

    The financing has a tenor of about 34 years and was provided by a consortium of local, regional and international lenders.

    The lenders are:

    • Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
    • Alinma Bank
    • Boubyan Bank
    • China Minsheng Banking Corporation, Hong Kong Branch
    • Commercial Bank of Dubai
    • HSBC Bank Middle East
    • Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
    • Industrial Bank, Beijing Branch
    • National Bank of Greece, Cyprus
    • Riyad Bank
    • Saudi Awwal Bank
    • Saudi National Bank
    • Standard Chartered Bank, Taiwan
    • Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, London Branch

    The project scope also includes financing and expanding a 380kV electrical substation.

    According to regional project tracker MEED Projects, construction works have commenced on the project, and a joint venture of Egypt’s Elsewedy Electric and China’s Sinohydro has been working as the main contractor.

    Rabigh 1 extension

    In January, Saudi Energy announced a separate energy conversion agreement with SPPC for the purchase of electricity from the Rabigh 1 power plant expansion.

    The contract is valued at SR5.33bn ($1.42bn).

    It covers the development, financing, construction, ownership and operation of the gas-fired power plant, which will have a generation capacity of 1,179MW.

    A joint venture of Elsewedy Electric and Germany’s Siemens Energy is undertaking the engineering, procurement and construction work for the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

    US/India-based Synergy Consulting is the financial advisory consultant to Saudi Energy on this project.

    Acwa also recently started initial commercial operations at the Taiba 1 and Qassim 1 CCGT power plants, as reported by MEED.

    The plants have a combined generation capacity of about 3.8GW and are two of four projects procured under the first round of Saudi Arabia’s gas-fired IPP programme by SPPC.

    A team of Saudi Energy and Acwa won the contract to develop and operate the projects in 2023.

    MEED’s October 2026 report on Saudi Arabia includes:

    > COMMENT: Saudi projects hold steady
    > GOVERNMENT: Riyadh looks to reset its regional defence outlook
    > ECONOMY: Conflict bolsters case for Saudi economic diversification
    > BANKING: Saudi lenders readjust to lower lending and deposit climate
    > UPSTREAM: Aramco upstream spending gathers pace
    > DOWNSTREAM: Sabic steps up Saudi petchems investment
    > POWER: Saudi Arabia’s power award activity slows
    > WATER: Saudi water sector hits sharp slowdown
    > CONSTRUCTION: Saudi construction defies the headwinds
    > TRANSPORT: Saudi infrastructure pushes forward amid conflict
    > DATABANK: Saudi data indicates project spending shift

    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/20270643/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Dubai announces $490m e-commerce hub expansion plan

    5 October 2026

    Dubai CommerCity has launched a second expansion phase valued at more than AED1.8bn ($490m), adding over 91,000 square metres (sq m) of office, retail and logistics space across the free zone’s business, social and logistics clusters.

    Dubai CommerCity is a joint venture of Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (Dafza) and Dubai government-owned Wasl Asset Management Group.

    The expansion is scheduled for delivery between the first quarter of 2027 and the fourth quarter of 2028.

    The developer said the move builds on sustained demand at Dubai CommerCity, where occupancy has reached nearly 96% across its office, logistics and retail assets.

    Phase two will comprise a series of developments across Dubai CommerCity’s three districts: the Business Cluster, Logistics Cluster and Social Cluster.

    The Business Cluster comprises 13 office buildings with a total leasable area of 108,000 sq m. The Logistics Cluster consists of 84 logistics units with a leasable area of 68,000 sq m, while the Social Cluster features art galleries, restaurants and cafes. The development will also include 4,000 parking spaces.

    Dafza and Wasl Asset Management Group announced plans to develop the AED2.7bn ($735m) e-commerce free zone In 2017. 

    READ THE OCTOBER 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Industry and logistics drive development at Neom; Saudi Arabia’s investment priorities realign amid conflict; MEED’s 2026 power developer ranking.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the October 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/20270228/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Iraq and Turkiye discuss oil and gas deal

    5 October 2026

    Iraq and Turkiye have opened talks in Ankara on a framework agreement for oil, gas and energy cooperation, according to a statement from the Iraqi Oil Ministry.

    Iraq’s Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair Al-Abadi led the Iraqi side, while the Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar led the Turkish side.

    Officials discussed a proposed roadmap to deepen work on oil and gas infrastructure, petrochemicals, and trade in oil, gas and power.

    Discussions about a future long-term deal to govern the Iraq-Turkiye Pipeline (ITP) were central to the talks.

    The ITP exports oil from northern Iraq to the port of Ceyhan in Turkiye.

    In July, Turkiye and Iraq signed a temporary agreement to allow crude flows through the ITP for a period of 12 months.

    Before the temporary agreement was signed, the previous deal governing oil exports through the pipeline was due to expire on 27 ​July.

    Speaking last month, Ali Al-Shatri, director general of Iraq’s state organisation for marketing oil (Somo), said the temporary deal was “a prelude” to a much bigger agreement.

    As well as governing pipeline exports, the new agreement is expected to cover electricity, chemicals and gas deals as well as the construction of a new oil refinery in Ceyhan.

    Under current plans, the new refinery will process Iraqi crude in order to produce refined products that can be exported to Europe.

    Bayraktar said: “Following the crude oil transportation agreement signed between our national company … we are clarifying our roadmap for a new, longer-term and more comprehensive agreement.

    “In this regard, we plan to activate our joint working groups to rapidly finalise oil and natural gas infrastructure, exploration and production, oil trading, refining-petrochemical and electricity projects.

    “In close cooperation with the new Iraqi Government, we will strongly continue to implement these concrete projects for the stability and prosperity of our shared geography.”

    Bayraktar said it was important to consider extending the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline to reach Basra in southern Iraq.

    He also said it was important to consider expanding the capacity of the ITP to create a strong alternative to the Strait of Hormuz.

    The Strait of Hormuz is a key oil export route that has been disrupted by a regional war since the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February.

    Bayraktar also said that he wanted state-owned Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) to expand its footprint in Iraq.

    He said: “We aim for our national company TPAO to play an active role not only in the Kirkuk fields but also in different fields in Iraq, to ​​reach the target of supplying one million barrels of crude oil as stated by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali ez-Zeydi; and to transform Ceyhan into a global energy hub by increasing trade volume.”

    Bayraktar said that Turkiye wanted energy to be a key part of the plan for a north-south trade corridor from the Grand Faw Port to the Turkish border.

    Under current plans, the corridor will combine a new railway and highway system.

    Bayraktar said that Turkiye also wants the route to include oil and gas pipelines as well as electricity transmission lines.

    READ THE OCTOBER 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Industry and logistics drive development at Neom; Saudi Arabia’s investment priorities realign amid conflict; MEED’s 2026 power developer ranking.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the October 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/20268590/main.jpg
    Wil Crisp
  • RTCC/Ictas wins $214m King Salman airport private aviation terminal

    5 October 2026

     

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Saudi Arabia’s King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC) has awarded an estimated SR800m ($214m) construction contract to build the private aviation terminal.

    The contract was awarded to a joint venture of Riyadh-based Al-Rashid Trading & Contracting (RTCC) and Turkiye’s IC Ictas.

    The scope includes constructing a central courtyard, grand boulevard, parking facilities, access-control checkpoints, logistics and ground-support facilities, internal road networks and landscaping.

    It also includes all civil, structural, architectural, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works, along with testing, commissioning and handover activities.

    KSIADC is making rapid progress on its overall project masterplan. In July, it reported major progress on landside and airside infrastructure works linked to its third runway and private aviation facilities, as part of the wider airport expansion programme.

    Project scale

    The project covers an area of about 57 square kilometres (sq km), allowing for six parallel runways, and will include the existing terminals at King Khalid International airport. It will also include 12 sq km of airport support facilities, residential and recreational facilities, retail outlets and other logistics real estate.

    The airport aims to accommodate up to 100 million passengers by 2030. The cargo target is to process 2 million tonnes a year by 2030.

    Saudi Arabia plans to invest significantly in its aviation sector. Riyadh’s Saudi Aviation Strategy, announced by Gaca, aims to triple Saudi Arabia’s annual passenger traffic to 330 million travellers by 2030.

    It also aims to increase air cargo traffic to 4.5 million tonnes and raise the country’s total air connections to more than 250 destinations.

    MEED’s October 2026 report on Saudi Arabia includes:

    > COMMENT: Saudi projects hold steady
    > GOVERNMENT: Riyadh looks to reset its regional defence outlook
    > ECONOMY: Conflict bolsters case for Saudi economic diversification
    > BANKING: Saudi lenders readjust to lower lending and deposit climate
    > UPSTREAM: Aramco upstream spending gathers pace
    > DOWNSTREAM: Sabic steps up Saudi petchems investment
    > POWER: Saudi Arabia’s power award activity slows
    > WATER: Saudi water sector hits sharp slowdown
    > CONSTRUCTION: Saudi construction defies the headwinds
    > TRANSPORT: Saudi infrastructure pushes forward amid conflict
    > DATABANK: Saudi data indicates project spending shift

    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/20268414/main.jpeg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Contractors submit bids for Libya refinery

    5 October 2026

     

    Bids have been submitted for the main contract for Libya’s planned South Refinery project and are currently under technical evaluation, according to industry sources.

    The project, located in Ubari in southern Libya, has gained momentum over the past year, and the main contract is anticipated to be worth more than $600m.

    The main contract is expected to use the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) model.

    The EPC work is expected to take 50 months, and the facility will be designed to process 30,000 barrels a day (b/d) of crude oil.

    In March, US-based engineering company KBR was awarded a contract by Zallaf Exploration, Production & Refining of Oil & Gas Company to provide project management and technical services for the project.

    Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide contract management, project management and supporting technical services throughout the project’s EPC phases.

    The refinery is expected to produce:

    • Propane and butane for domestic and industrial uses
    • Gasoline
    • Kerosene
    • Diesel
    • Fuel oil

    In March, KBR said that the project was aligned with its “long-standing commitment to advancing vital oil and gas infrastructure in Libya”.

    Libya currently operates five main refineries with a combined nameplate capacity of 380,000 b/d, but actual throughput is closer to 180,000 b/d due to poor maintenance and damage from military clashes.

    In addition to the South Refinery project, Libya also plans to upgrade the Zawiya refinery and carry out projects at the Serir, Brega, Tobruk and Ras Lanuf refineries.

    READ THE OCTOBER 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Industry and logistics drive development at Neom; Saudi Arabia’s investment priorities realign amid conflict; MEED’s 2026 power developer ranking.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the October 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/20267178/main.jpg
    Wil Crisp