President Donald Trump humorously remarked that he was “not very pleased” with the small quantity of oil he received as a gift during his visit to the United Arab Emirates on Friday.
A video clip circulated by Margo Martin, who is Trump’s special assistant and communications advisor, highlighted the moment the president received a token during his diplomatic journey to the Gulf state.
The gift, handed over by Sultan Al Jaber, the chief of the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, was a box with a small amount of Murban crude oil visible through a glass enclosure.
“This is the highest quality oil available globally, and they only gave me a drop,” Trump stated, causing laughter among those present. “So I’m not very pleased, but it’s better than nothing.”
Trump’s visit to the UAE concludes a four-day diplomatic initiative in the Middle East that also included visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
At a business forum held at the Qasr Al Watan palace in Abu Dhabi, Trump was courted by industry leaders and oil magnates, where Al Jaber presented the modest gift.
UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also attended the event as Trump toured the royal palace.
During the interactions, Trump viewed a presentation focused on the UAE’s aviation industry, where he commended Boeing.
“It’s merely my opinion, but Boeing produces the best aircraft,” Trump stated, according to Sky News. “They’ve encountered some challenges in recent years, but they make the finest planes.”
Trump’s Middle Eastern visit has been overshadowed by controversy regarding his plans to accept a $400 million Boeing 747-8 jet from the Qatari royal family as a replacement for the current Air Force One.
On Thursday, the White House announced a significant agreement involving Boeing and GE Aerospace with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE.
As part of strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and the Gulf nation, Etihad has agreed to purchase 28 Boeing 787 and 777X jets, powered by GE engines, in a transaction exceeding $14.5 billion.