Trump taps corporate heavyweights to project US strength on global stage

President Donald Trump’s recent was accompanied by a notable entourage of American business leaders, highlighting the increasingly close relationship between corporate America and the White House under his administration.

From 13 to 16 May, as Trump visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, CEOs from major firms including Nvidia, oil executives and bankers followed closely, seeking to align with the president’s agenda and benefit from his transactional approach to trade and regulation.

The trip was as much a business mission as a diplomatic one. The White House and host nations swiftly organised business conferences, where executives signed partnership agreements and touted mutual investments. These events served as a platform for Trump to showcase dealmaking successes to regional rulers, while companies seized the opportunity to network and bolster their standing with the administration.

Despite these public displays of cooperation, some firms have not escaped Trump’s ire. Apple, Amazon and Walmart, among others, have faced criticism from the president, revealing the delicate balance CEOs must strike between supporting Trump’s economic narrative and safeguarding their own profitability.

A standout moment came of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, at a state dinner hosted by Qatar’s Emir at Lusail Palace in Doha. This marked Ambani’s second meeting with Trump since the president’s return to office earlier this year.

Although no formal business talks took place, Ambani’s presence underscored the importance of personal diplomacy. Reliance has strong ties with US tech giants such as Google and Meta, as well as the Qatar Investment Authority, which has invested around $1 billion in Ambani’s retail ventures.

Ambani’s close relationship with the Trump family is well documented, reflecting the growing influence of Indian business leaders on the global stage.

Throughout the tour, Trump praised companies like Apple for their substantial US investment commitments, even as he voiced frustration over Apple’s plans to shift some production to India in response to tariffs on China.

The president also celebrated major deals, including Qatar Airways’ historic order for 210 Boeing jets, and announced significant US defence contracts with Qatar.

However, behind the scenes, CEOs admitted to the challenges of navigating Trump’s unpredictable policy environment, particularly on tariffs and regulations. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has emerged as a key intermediary, but companies remain vulnerable to sudden criticism, as seen in Trump’s public rebuke of Walmart and Amazon.

Meanwhile, JPMorgan Chase chief Jamie Dimon successfully influenced tariff policy by publicly urging Trump to negotiate trade agreements, prompting a temporary reduction in tariffs.