ABU DHABI — President Trump commended Emirati leaders on Friday for their involvement in the construction of a $780 million soccer stadium located in Queens, stating proudly, “I was born there.”
During an investment presentation, an Emirati official informed Trump that “We are investing over $300 million,” while images of New York City Football Club’s 25,000-seat Etihad Park, set to open in 2027, were displayed on a large screen.
“I’m well acquainted with the area. I grew up in Queens,” Trump remarked about the site at Willets Point, which is situated near Citi Field. “That’s wonderful. It used to be a hub for fixing cars, along with many other repairs. It’s a fantastic location.”
“You did a great job with this,” the president expressed enthusiastically. “I am familiar with this location. You were born here, and I was born there. You made a wise choice.”
The groundbreaking for Etihad Park, named after the UAE’s national airline, occurred in December 2024, shortly after Trump secured a second term in November.
NYCFC is owned by the City Football Group, which is primarily controlled by the Abu Dhabi United Group—established and led by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s vice president and a significant figure within the royal family.
Besides NYCFC, City Football Group holds majority stakes in several other clubs, including Manchester City in England, Melbourne City in Australia, Mumbai City in India, and Italian club Palermo.
Emirati representatives also highlighted a “remarkable” agreement made on May 7 to construct a Disney park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, promising that it would “bring a vast world of imagination to the area.”
“It’s excellent, truly excellent,” Trump remarked as he viewed a mock-up of an Arabian-style Magic Castle, which will be featured in the first new Disney park in 15 years and the fifth outside the United States, set to open in the early 2030s.
UAE-based companies have also pursued various projects under American licenses, including a SeaWorld location—the first one established outside the U.S.
In addition, Emirati officials announced a commitment from Emirates Global Aluminum to construct a $4 billion smelter generating 1,000 jobs in Oklahoma.
“The profits generated here come back to us,” Trump stated regarding U.S. companies expanding in the region.
“That’s remarkable. All of these are American companies, and they are thriving here. We collaborate closely. The investments are significant, in the hundreds of billions, visible in Oklahoma and beyond, with roles from companies like Exxon and Boeing—many excellent firms. We cooperate, and the revenues generated here return to us,” he explained.
“I assume many of the contractors are from here, contributing to these endeavors. Additionally, a lot of the entertainment comes from this region. It’s truly incredible.”
Throughout Trump’s three-nation excursion, the White House claimed that the president secured investment agreements totaling over $2 trillion.
“We have a president of the United States actively promoting these deals,” Trump proclaimed at the business expo on Friday. “Do you think Biden could accomplish this? I doubt it.”
Among the largest deals finalized during Trump’s visit were agreements involving Etihad and Qatar Airways to invest more than $110 billion in 238 American-made Boeing passenger aircraft.
In Saudi Arabia, Trump finalized a deal to export $142 billion in American-made defense equipment to the oil-rich nation, as part of a larger $600 billion investment initiative.
Trump did not address the ongoing development of his own business projects in the three countries visited.
“We’re in an excellent position. There’s no more courting needed,” Trump summarized his journey before heading back to Washington.
“I have cultivated friendships with these leaders, especially those we met over the past few days, and they are outstanding individuals. They have a strong affinity for our nation, and we cherish our relationship with them.”