President Donald Trump is embarking on his first international diplomatic mission of his second term, aiming to visit Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. His family’s business interests have been growing in these nations.
The Trump Organization, managed by his sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr., has recently revealed plans for several new developments across these three countries, with two of them announced in the past few weeks.
These upcoming projects will further increase the number of Trump-branded properties globally, which include residential buildings, hotels, private golf clubs, and public golf courses located in North America, Europe, and Asia. At present, there seems to be a renewed focus on the oil-rich and predominantly authoritarian regimes of the Middle East.
Although Trump no longer plays a direct role in the Trump Organization, the business dealings of his family have sparked numerous ethical concerns and questions regarding possible conflicts of interest during his time in office.
Below is a summary of the Trump Organization’s current real estate projects in each of the countries he is scheduled to visit.
United Arab Emirates
In late April, the Trump Organization shared plans for an 80-story Trump International Hotel & Tower in Dubai, UAE.
This initiative is in collaboration with Dar Global, the international subsidiary of the Saudi-based real estate company Dar Al Arkan, which has significant affiliations with the Saudi government, as reported by The New York Times.
This new establishment will complement the existing Trump International Golf Club in Dubai, which opened in 2017, closely following Trump’s inauguration.
Qatar
The Trump Organization also announced a new venture at the end of April: the Trump International Golf Club Simaisma, located outside Doha, Qatar, in partnership with Dar Global as well as Qatari Diar, a state-owned real estate firm.
Dar Global will act as both the owner and developer of the facility, which will utilize the Trump name through a licensing agreement, according to the firm’s announcement.
The development is expected to feature an 18-hole championship golf course, a golf club, and luxury villas branded with the Trump name as part of the $5.5 billion Simaisma project along Qatar’s coast.
As Qatari Diar is state-owned, this development might conflict with the Trump Organization’s second-term pledge, which aims to limit engagements with foreign governments.
The Trump Organization did not provide an immediate comment to requests for clarification but previously mentioned that their agreement is solely with Dar Global, not with Qatari Diar.
Nonetheless, the announcement clearly cites both firms, including a statement from Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization, who expressed pride in expanding the Trump brand into Qatar through the partnership with Qatari Diar and Dar Global.
Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, the Trump Organization has several upcoming projects in the pipeline.
Last year, they unveiled plans for a 47-story Trump Tower in Jeddah, developed in alliance with Dar Global.
Eric Trump shared a video rendering of the modern Trump-branded tower on social media in December, expressing pride in launching a project that had been in the works for many months. The residential tower overlooking the Red Sea is anticipated to be finished in 2029, according to Dar Global.
The Trump Organization is also engaged in two additional real estate projects in Riyadh, as highlighted in a December press release by Dar Global.
For these Saudi developments, the Trump Organization will license its brand, while Dar Global will fully own and manage the properties, as noted in the announcement.
During a recent press briefing, a reporter questioned White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt regarding any personal business Trump might conduct during his trip this week. She dismissed the inquiry, labeling it “frankly ridiculous” to imply that President Trump would act for his personal gain.