Trump brings Zuckerberg, Gates, and Cook together at the White House to discuss AI

The scene looked like something out of a political drama, but it happened in reality. In the East Room of the White House , Donald Trump gathered the world's most powerful technology leaders for a conversation that analysts say could define the course of artificial intelligence in the next decade.

Mark Zuckerberg (Meta) , Bill Gates (Microsoft) , Tim Cook (Apple) , Sundar Pichai (Google) , and Sam Altman (OpenAI) , among others, were present. The meeting was dubbed "the trillion-euro meeting" in international media due to the volume of investments put on the table.

Trump, in his second term, is seeking to position the United States as the undisputed leader in artificial intelligence and semiconductors , amid growing rivalry with China. The meeting was no coincidence: the administration sees Silicon Valley as a key ally in reducing foreign technological dependence.

During the meeting, the president offered tax incentives and regulatory relief in exchange for companies investing in manufacturing and development within the country. "The future must be built here" was one of the most repeated messages.

One of the most talked-about moments was Mark Zuckerberg 's speech, where he announced a €558 billion investment plan through 2028 .

Part of that investment will go toward the construction of a megadata center in Louisiana , valued at more than €46.5 billion . The news drew applause from Trump, who publicly congratulated him and used his commitment as an example for the rest of the audience.

Apple CEO Tim Cook was not far behind, confirming that the company plans investments similar to Meta's to strengthen its domestic factories.

For their part, Sundar Pichai and Sergey Brin , representing Google, highlighted the importance of energy and data center capacity as fundamental challenges for the development of artificial intelligence on a large scale.

OpenAI founder Sam Altman also spoke. He acknowledged that the growth of generative AI depends on solid infrastructure and clear policies that ensure responsible innovation . For Altman, the United States has the opportunity to "lead the biggest technological change since the internet."

It wasn't all consensus. Trump took advantage of the event to announce the imposition of tariffs of up to 100% on imported semiconductors , with the aim of forcing the relocation of production.

The move raised concerns, but also reinforces Trump's narrative as a defender of local industry . Behind the gesture, many analysts see a political calculation: to attract support from the tech sector on the eve of the election .

Beyond politics, what was clear is that the alliance between the White House and Silicon Valley is destined to shape the future of innovation. With multi-million dollar investments, tax breaks, and a common goal— reducing dependence on China —the meeting could mark the beginning of a new technological era for the United States and the world .