President Donald Trump is set to embark on his first international diplomatic journey of his second term, with a visit planned to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. His family business has increasingly focused on ventures in these nations.
The Trump Organization, managed by Trump’s eldest sons, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., has recently revealed several new projects in these countries, including two that were disclosed within the past few weeks.
These developments will contribute to the extensive array of Trump-branded properties around the globe, which encompasses residential skyscrapers, commercial hotels, private golf courses, and public golfing facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia. Currently, a significant emphasis for the company appears to rest on the oil-rich, predominantly authoritarian governments in the Middle East.
Although Trump no longer directly oversees the Trump Organization, the business dealings of his family continue to spark ethical debates and potential conflicts of interest during both of his presidential terms.
Below are the Trump Organization’s ongoing real estate ventures in each nation Trump plans to visit.
United Arab Emirates
In late April, the Trump Organization unveiled plans for an 80-story Trump International Hotel & Tower in Dubai, UAE.
This initiative is in collaboration with Dar Global, the international segment of the Saudi real estate firm Dar Al Arkan, which maintains strong connections with the Saudi government, as reported by The New York Times.
This new establishment will complement the existing Trump International Golf Club, which launched in Dubai in 2017, shortly after Trump began his first term.
Qatar
Additionally, at the end of April, the Trump Organization disclosed a partnership for a Trump International Golf Club Simaisma located just outside of Doha, Qatar, in collaboration with Dar Global and Qatari Diar, a state-owned property firm.
Dar Global will act as the owner and developer, utilizing the Trump brand under license, as outlined in the real estate firm’s announcement.
This development is expected to feature an 18-hole golf course, a golf club, and luxury villas under the Trump name, part of the $5.5 billion Simaisma project along a 4-mile coast of Qatar.
Given that Qatari Diar is state-owned, this development raises concerns regarding the Trump Organization’s commitment to limit new business dealings with foreign governments during its second term.
While the Trump Organization did not immediately address a request for comments, a company spokesperson previously stated to the media that their agreement was solely with Dar Global, not with Qatari Diar.
However, the announcement clearly referenced both firms, including remarks from Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization.
“We are extremely proud to bring the Trump brand to Qatar through this remarkable partnership with Qatari Diar and Dar Global,” Eric Trump stated in the announcement.
Saudi Arabia
The Trump Organization has multiple projects planned in Saudi Arabia.
Last year, it was revealed that a 47-story Trump Tower is in the works in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, again in partnership with Dar Global.
Eric Trump shared a video rendering of the sleek beachside tower in December, expressing pride in the official launch of a project that had been in development for months.
This luxury residential tower, which will oversee the Red Sea, is anticipated to be completed by 2029, according to Dar Global.
Additionally, the Trump Organization is involved in two other real estate ventures in Riyadh, as revealed by Dar Global in a December announcement.
The Trump Organization will allow its name to be used for these properties, which will be wholly owned and managed by Dar Global.
During a recent press briefing, a journalist questioned White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt about whether Trump intended to engage in any personal business during his upcoming trip.
She responded that it was “absolutely absurd” for anyone to insinuate that President Trump would act for personal gain.