UAE Secures Chips While Trump Team Gains Cash

Synopsis– This summer marked a pivotal moment where two colossal agreements intertwined the worlds of U.S. diplomacy and private business. Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s envoy for the Middle East, met Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a top Emirati sovereign wealth controller, aboard a luxury yacht off Sardinia.

Their alliance unlocked billions in financial gains for the Trump family’s cryptocurrency firm while simultaneously granting the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) access to advanced A.I. computer chips. These back-to-back deals, unprecedented in scope, raise critical questions about ethics, national security, and the blending of public duties with private interests.

Two Multibillion-Dollar Deals Intersect

The foundation of this partnership lies in two major deals that emerged over recent months. The first was a $2 billion investment by Sheikh Tahnoon’s firm into World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency startup co-founded by the Witkoff and Trump families. Zach Witkoff, Steve’s son and a rising figure in crypto, announced the deal in Dubai, revealing the deepening financial ties between the U.A.E.’s rulers and the Trump business circle.

Shortly thereafter, the White House approved the export of hundreds of thousands of the world’s most sophisticated computer chips to the U.A.E., primarily destined for G42, an Emirati technology giant controlled by Sheikh Tahnoon.

These chips, essential for artificial intelligence development, had long been restricted by U.S. national security concerns, especially due to G42’s Chinese business ties. Though no direct evidence links the crypto investment to the chip export approval, their timing and overlapping participants suggest a convergence that blurred official and personal lines.

Key Figures and Conflicts of Interest

David Sacks, a Trump-appointed tech and crypto adviser, played a central role in negotiating the chip deal. Despite being a venture capitalist with holdings in AI-related firms, he received a White House ethics waiver permitting his involvement. Concerns rose within the administration about conflicts of interest, as Sacks was linked financially to companies benefiting from the U.A.E.’s expanded chip access.

Similarly, Steve Witkoff, who juggled his private business interests with his diplomatic role, openly advocated for the Emiratis’ chip access while the crypto investment for his family’s firm was underway. A senior executive employed both by G42 and World Liberty further connected the two companies operationally. These entanglements raised alarms among some government officials, highlighting unprecedented overlaps of personal gain and national duty.

Political Maneuvering and Power Plays

Inside the U.S. government, opposing forces debated the chip export terms. National security officials sought to restrict access to advanced chips, wary of Chinese advantage. Yet following interventions including the firing of several council officials and the influence of a conservative agitator, the balance shifted toward easing restrictions for the U.A.E.

David Sacks championed sales with safeguards, arguing that access meant keeping the Middle East aligned with America rather than China in the AI race. Steve Witkoff’s influence grew as he coordinated closely with Sheikh Tahnoon, aiming to seal deals before President Trump’s Middle East visit. Meanwhile, the U.A.E. also proposed building an advanced chip factory at home, a plan the U.S. government opposed but Witkoff and Sacks quietly supported.

Broader Implications

These consecutive deals are already reshaping the crypto and technology landscape. World Liberty catapulted from obscurity into a leading crypto player, benefiting from a $2 billion deposit channeled into its stablecoin initiative. This positioned the firm to earn tens of millions annually through these digital financial flows.

For the U.A.E., gaining vast numbers of AI chips under favorable terms promises to boost their tech ambitions significantly. Their sprawling firm, G42, stands to strengthen its edge in AI and cloud computing with American technology, despite lingering concerns over ties to China.

This saga reveals how global influence, advanced technology, and cryptocurrency wealth can become tightly intertwined, raising challenges that stretch far beyond boardrooms and political offices.

Written By Fazal Ul Vahab C H