• Trump's visit to the Gulf includes Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
• His family's business has several ongoing real estate projects in the region.
• Concerns are raised over potential conflicts of interest during Trump's diplomatic visit.
• Trump's organization recently announced a $5.5 billion golf club in Qatar.
• Previous ethical commitments against new foreign business ventures may be compromised.

President Donald Trump's upcoming diplomatic trip to the Middle East coincides with significant business interests held by his family's organization, the Trump Organization. The visit, marking his first overseas trip since regaining the presidency, includes stops in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Notably, his family business has several active projects in these countries, raising concerns over potential conflicts of interest, especially as Trump engages in meetings with regional leaders. Ethics experts are wary about the implications of these intertwining interests, asserting that Trump's visit could benefit his family's business ventures in the Gulf region, according to Newsweek and ABC News.

The Trump Organization has several ongoing projects in the Middle East, including a high-profile development of an 80-story Trump International Hotel and Tower in Dubai, as well as a $5.5 billion golf club project in Qatar named Trump International Golf Club, Simaisima. These projects suggest that the self-imposed moratorium on new international ventures proclaimed during Trump's first term has effectively ended. Eric Trump, who is running the organization alongside Donald Trump Jr., expressed enthusiasm about these developments, stating they are well-positioned to capture growth in Dubai and Qatar. The partnerships for these projects involve organizations like Dar Global, which has close ties to the Saudi government, according to Business Insider and ABC News.

In Saudi Arabia, Trump has three major ongoing projects, including a luxury residential tower in Jeddah scheduled for completion in 2029. Eric Trump announced this project while highlighting his pride in launching it, showing a direct connection between Trump's diplomatic efforts and family business expansions. The dealings in all three countries are significant not only economically but also politically, as they intertwine with the U.S. government's relationships with these regions. Critics have voiced concerns regarding the blending of diplomatic relations and personal business aims during Trump’s presidency, as ethics watchdogs note the potential for special treatment from foreign officials, which could significantly impact both business outcomes and governmental integrity, as cited by ABC News and Newsweek.