ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — If the Arab Gulf states were to hold a popularity contest right now, President Donald Trump would be the prom king.

The 45th and 47th president of the United States was greeted with spectacular fanfare in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates during his 4-day visit to the region.

In Riyadh, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman broke royal protocol by personally greeting the president on the tarmac. Trump’s motorcade from Qatar’s Doha airport was flanked by bright red Tesla cybertrucks and riders on horseback. And in Abu Dhabi, UAE leader Mohammed bin Zayed awarded his American counterpart with the Order of Zayed Award, the nation’s highest civil honor.

As if that wasn’t enough, a parade of royal camels welcomed Trump outside the Amiri Diwan, Qatar’s presidential office. Speaking to Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Trump made it clear he was impressed.

“As a construction guy, this is perfect marble,” Trump said, gesturing to the walls and columns of the palace. “This is what they call perfecto. We appreciate those camels,” he added. “I haven’t seen camels like that in a long time. And really, we appreciate it very much.”

The optics of the U.S. leader’s Middle East visit were strong, showcasing the larger-than-life opulence of the region’s richest petrostates — and how much of that wealth they are willing to spend to deepen their ties with the U.S. and advance their own economic agendas.

The numbers are historic. Qatar and the U.S. agreed on a $1.2 trillion “economic exchange”; Saudia Arabia promised to invest $600 billion in the U.S., and major projects were signed with the United Arab Emirates, after Abu Dhabi in March committed to a 10-year, $1.4 trillion investment framework in the U.S.

There remains some doubt as to whether those numbers are realistic, especially during a period of low oil prices and weaker revenue for crude-producing countries. And some of the deals, like Qatar’s record order of 210 Boeing jets and Saudi Arabia’s $142 billion arms deal with the U.S. — the largest weapons deal ever inked — will likely take decades to pan out.

But the message was clear: the Gulf states want to be first in line when it comes to partnering with the U.S., whether it be for business, military, or tech.

“The Gulf has always gotten along better with business-first presidents, and President Trump fits that mold perfectly,” Tarik Solomon, board member and former chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia, told CNBC.

“He still symbolizes fast money, big defense, and access to American tech. So, if cozying up to him helps secure a seat at the table of the next world order, the Gulf is bringing the gold-plated chair.”

Some observers suggested the three Gulf countries were competing with one another for Trump’s affection. But many in the region say it’s more of a long-term, strategic alignment.

“I do not view the big economic announcements as a competition among the three countries; rather, they reflect a competition with other regions — Europe for example — for a closer relation with the U.S. administration,” said Ahmed Rashad, an Abu Dhabi-based assistant professor of economics at the Economic Research Forum.

“The economic deals appear vital to increase the attractiveness of the Middle East visit. On the other hand, the primary motive of the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] countries appears to be strengthening relations with the U.S. and securing access to advanced technologies,” Rashad said.