Trump comments spark rapid trades, boosting UAE retail investors and market volume
Donald Trump’s remarks are prompting near-instant trading among UAE retail investors, outpacing even Federal Reserve announcements, according to market executives.
Statements from Donald Trump are causing rapid trading responses from retail investors across the Middle East, according to Tarik Chebib of Capital.com, who notes the effect exceeds that of Federal Reserve or major US economic releases. In the first half of 2026, the Dubai Financial Market’s turnover jumped 40% year-on-year to $32.5 billion, while Abu Dhabi’s exchange handled $46.6 billion in trades. Capital.com’s data show the region supplied 57 % of its $1.13 trillion global Q2 volume, with most activity from the UAE, where leveraged positions in gold, oil and US technology stocks are expanding.
Vijay Valecha of Century Financial observes the same pattern, adding that leverage use has risen since Trump returned to office, fueled by repeated market rebounds. Gold accounts for roughly half of regional trading volume, followed by US tech indices and crude oil, reflecting shifts from conflict-driven oil interest to AI-related equities. The surge coincides with the UAE’s broader financial development, including new regulated firms and removal from the FATF grey list, positioning the country as a serious competitor to established hubs.
Why it matters
It shows how US political cues can instantly drive large-scale trading in emerging markets, reshaping the UAE’s financial landscape.
How this story developed
- Aug 18 Brent climbs toward $92 as UAE missile alert sparks Gulf tension
- Aug 19 Only six vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, down from nine the day before, as shipowners wait for definitive guidance on reopening after the Iran war blockade.
- Aug 19 UAE announced a trade suspension with Iran after detecting two ballistic missiles.
- Aug 20 U.S. naval escorts have increased, moving roughly five million barrels per day in July, up from about four million in June.
- Aug 23 Since Iran shut the strait on March 1 in retaliation for joint US-Israeli strikes, daily transits fell from roughly 95 to single-digit levels. A June US-Iran agreement briefly lifted the count to 36, but numbers slipped again after fighting resumed in July. Ships now use two separate routes—one approved by Tehran near Iran’s coast and another south of Oman that may be mined—while most passages are untrackable because of disabled transponders. The International Maritime Organization reports thousands of crew members remain aboard vessels unable to leave.
- Aug 25 A senior Pakistani delegation met with Iran's president in Tehran for talks described as very positive.
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