A recent investigation published by The New York Times has unveiled significant business dealings between the family of former U.S. President Donald Trump, his Middle East envoy Steve Wietcov, and the United Arab Emirates. This comprehensive report sheds light on transactions involving cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence chips. The investigation reveals that Tahnoun bin Zayed, the UAE’s National Security Advisor and brother of its President, has established a partnership with Wietcov that has not only enriched Trump’s wealth but has also granted the UAE access to the latest AI chip technology from the United States.
A Complex Web of Transactions
According to the investigation, Tahnoun’s investment firm allocated a staggering $2 billion into a start-up in the cryptocurrency sector known as “World Liberty Financial,” founded by members of the Trump and Wietcov families. Just a fortnight following this deal, Washington permitted Abu Dhabi to acquire hundreds of thousands of cutting-edge American AI chips. The newspaper states that this pending sale would grant the small Middle Eastern nation access to technologies capable of reshaping the global economy and potentially altering warfare strategies.
Concerns Over Conflicts of Interest
While the investigation did not find explicit evidence of a mutual transaction, the timing of these deals raised questions about potential conflicts of interest. The report highlights the involvement of major players such as Binance in this intricate network. During a visit to the luxury yacht-clad Sardinian coast, Wietcov met with Tahnoun, who manages a sovereign wealth fund worth $1.5 trillion, leading to further scrutiny regarding the enrichment of Trump and his close circle through these arrangements.
The Role of G42 and AI Technology
As the landscape of artificial intelligence evolves, Tahnoun has also assumed a crucial role as the chief coordinator for the royal family’s sovereign wealth. His company, G42, is engaged in advanced operations in genetics and cloud computing but has faced a significant hurdle: the lack of access to the world’s most potent computing chips, primarily developed by American firms like Nvidia. U.S. export policies have restricted these critical sales to certain foreign entities, aiming to prevent misuse of such technology.
Strategic Diplomatic Engagements
Tahnoun’s outreach to the Biden administration included high-level meetings, notably with Gina Raimondo, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. While Nvidia expressed enthusiasm for entering new markets, U.S. national security officials were unclear due to the UAE’s military activities with China and extensive partnerships with Chinese tech firms. During these discussions, Biden’s deputy secretary of commerce explicitly indicated, “You have to choose,” highlighting the precarious balance between cooperation and national security.
The investigation reveals a troubling intersection of influence and wealth, bringing to light how familial ties, business interests, and international diplomacy can intertwine in ways that raise ethical questions. Tahnoun’s history and their recent dealings suggest an ongoing effort to leverage artificial intelligence technologies in both commercial and strategic contexts, highlighting the delicate nature of such alliances in today’s interconnected world.