Mukesh Ambani and Donald Trump Forge Mega Real Estate Partnership
US President Donald Trump and India's richest man, Mukesh Ambani, have joined forces in a significant real estate deal, marking a new chapter in international business collaborations.
Real EstateBusiness PartnershipMukesh AmbaniDonald TrumpInternational BusinessReal Estate NewsJun 19, 2025
As per the report in The Wall Street Journal, investors have pumped $44.6 million into Trump-branded projects in Vietnam, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia. The amount paid for licensing and development fees in 2024 was significantly higher than in 2023 ($8.2 million), according to the annual financial disclosure report.
While much of the money stems from previously disclosed agreements, the filing also revealed a $10 million 'development fee' from Reliance 4IR Realty Development — a subsidiary of a company owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani — for licensing the Trump brand in a project based in Mumbai. Though so far it's not clear as to which specific project has been planned in Mumbai by the Ambanis.
Notably, Mukesh Ambani attended Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington, D.C., in January, and was also a guest at a state dinner in Doha last month, hosted by the Emir of Qatar in honour of the US President. This highlights the growing international presence and influence of both Ambani and Trump.
At the same time, Donald Trump Jr. appeared at the Qatar Economic Forum, highlighting a broader pattern of renewed international business activity. A wave of new real estate projects announced this year in India and Qatar underscores the Trump family’s strategy to aggressively expand their business footprint, even as Trump holds office, breaking sharply from past presidential norms.
This expansion now spans multiple sectors, including real estate, golf, cryptocurrency, and even a newly unveiled Trump-branded mobile phone. The activity represents a notable shift from the previous term, when the Trump Organisation had pledged to suspend foreign business dealings during his presidency.
Donald Trump Jr., who oversees the family business alongside his brother Eric, addressed the change at the May conference in Qatar. He noted that despite the self-imposed pause on international deals during the first term, criticism persisted, prompting the family to scale back those restrictions this time around. Now, the only red line is avoiding direct transactions with foreign governments.
'We said we’re going to play by the rules, but we’re not going to go so far as to stymie our business forever,' Donald Trump Jr. said, as reported by WSJ.
While the moves have drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers and ethics watchdogs, Republicans, who currently control Congress, have remained largely silent on the issue.
So far, Reliance has not commented on this development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the amount of the development fee paid by Reliance 4IR Realty Development to Trump's real estate firm?
Reliance 4IR Realty Development paid a $10 million development fee to Trump's real estate firm.
Where is the Trump-branded real estate project planned by the Ambanis located?
The Trump-branded real estate project planned by the Ambanis is located in Mumbai, India.
What other sectors is the Trump family expanding into besides real estate?
The Trump family is expanding into sectors including golf, cryptocurrency, and even a newly unveiled Trump-branded mobile phone.
Why did the Trump family decide to resume international business dealings during Trump's second term?
The Trump family decided to resume international business dealings due to persistent criticism during the self-imposed pause in the first term, leading them to scale back restrictions this time around.
What is the only restriction the Trump family has set for their international business dealings?
The only restriction the Trump family has set is avoiding direct transactions with foreign governments.
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