In a year already thick with ample controversies and geopolitical recalibration, the news of Mukesh Ambani striking a $10 million licensing deal with the Trump Organization may appear, at first glance, like just another flashy business headline; but scratch beneath the surface, and it reveals a much more unsettling truth –  that the worlds of private capital and political power are no longer running parallel – they’re merging!

According to latest reports, Ambani’s Reliance 4IR Realty Development has paid $10 million to license the Trump brand for a new development in Mumbai.

This move marks Ambani’s bold foray into high-profile real estate, diverging from Reliance’s traditional strongholds – petrochemicals, telecom, and retail. However, it’s not just a change in strategy but a strategic handshake with one of the most polarizing political and business figures in modern history: Donald Trump.

For the Trump Organization, the deal couldn’t come at a better time; the family’s business empire is expanding aggressively, raking in $44.6 million in foreign licensing and development fees in 2024 alone – up from $8.2 million in 2023. That surge comes despite Trump’s earlier pledge to suspend foreign business while in office to avoid conflicts of interest. That pledge, it seems, has been quietly shelved.

“We said we’re going to play by the rules, but we’re not going to stymie our business forever,” Donald Trump Jr. declared in May at a business forum in Qatar.

And now, the family claims it will only avoid business with foreign governments, not private entities. But in countries like Vietnam, Qatar, and yes – India – where political influence often underwrites real estate projects, that’s a distinction without much of a difference and the ethical red flags are already waving.

The Money Trail – Real Estate or Real Influence?

Among the Trump Organization’s most active partners is Dar Al Arkan, a Saudi developer that poured $22 million into licensing deals for Trump-branded properties in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Dubai. Vietnam’s Hung Yen Hospitality paid $5 million, while Damac Properties in Dubai contributed another $5.2 million. And behind many of these deals are local governments eager to sweeten trade ties or fast-track regulatory approvals.

In Vietnam, for example, the government reportedly accelerated approvals for a Trump tower while simultaneously lobbying the U.S. to ease tariffs. In Qatar, Eric Trump inaugurated a Trump-branded golf resort just weeks before Trump himself visited the country for trade talks. In Serbia, a proposed Kushner-affiliated tower complex has drawn fire from political opponents, accusing the current administration of selling access and favor.

Enter Mukesh Ambani – India’s richest man, whose empire stretches from crude oil to 5G; his involvement with Trump adds a uniquely Indian dimension to this evolving web of power. Although Reliance is not traditionally known for luxury real estate, it has undertaken sweeping redevelopment projects across over 4,000 acres in Mumbai. Now, with Trump’s brand added to its portfolio, Reliance’s ambitions seem to stretch far beyond Indian borders and deep into American political circles.

The Dinner Table of Influence
The Ambani-Trump equation is not exactly new, it’s just becoming more visible.

Ambani was not merely a guest at Trump’s 2024 inauguration. He and his wife Nita were spotted at the exclusive ‘Candlelight’ dinner, rubbing shoulders with top donors who reportedly contributed up to $1 million for proximity to the new President. Officially, it was an invitation. Unofficially – Many call it an investment.

Fast forward to May 2025, Ambani met Trump and Qatar’s Emir in Doha, further strengthening business ties. His company already enjoys investment backing from Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund (QIA), which poured $1 billion into Reliance’s retail venture. And on the American side, Reliance’s digital business has attracted equity from tech titans like Google and Meta. In other words, Ambani has built a dual-lane highway of influence – one running through Silicon Valley, the other through the corridors of global political power.

The perks have been tangible. Reliance previously secured a U.S. waiver to import crude oil from Venezuela – one of the most heavily sanctioned countries by the Trump administration. That waiver was later revoked when Trump imposed a 25% tariff. Coincidence, perhaps; but it underlines how closely Reliance’s operations are tied to decisions coming out of Washington.

The Wedding That Said It All

If there were any lingering doubts about the closeness between the Trump and Ambani families, the glittering wedding of Anant Ambani last year erased them. Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and even their daughter Arabella Rose were in attendance, alongside a who’s who of international and Indian elites. The event was less a wedding and more a summit of the world’s most powerful dynasties.

Ambani’s presence at Ivanka Trump’s 2017 Hyderabad visit and his appearance during Trump’s 2020 India tour further solidify this closeness. These are not sporadic run-ins but coordinated, strategic, and rooted in mutual benefit.

The Global Trump Circle

The Trump Organization, through its various entities, has a wide range of international business interests, primarily in real estate development and hospitality. They own, operate, and develop hotels, residential properties, and golf courses globally. Additionally, they have ventured into areas like retail, entertainment, and even beauty pageants.

Here’s a more detailed look at some of Trump’s international business connections –

Real Estate and Hospitality, Golf Courses and Resorts:
The Trump Organization has developed and operates numerous golf courses and resorts in various countries, including Indonesia, the Dominican Republic, and Scotland.

Residential and Hotel Development:
They have been involved in developing luxury residential towers and hotels in countries like Canada, Panama, and the United Arab Emirates.

Trump International Hotel & Tower Vancouver: A luxury hotel and residential tower in Vancouver, Canada.

Trump Ocean Club International Hotel and Tower Panama: A mixed-use development in Panama City, Panama.

Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Ireland: A golf resort and hotel in Doonbeg, Ireland.

Trump Turnberry: A luxury golf resort in Scotland.

Other International Ventures: Retail:
The Trump Organization has licensed its brand for various retail products, including apparel, jewelry, and home goods.

Entertainment: They have been involved in television production, most notably with “The Apprentice” franchise.

Under The Lens – Global Diplomacy or a Billionaire Boys’ Club?

The Trump Organization, it must be remembered – is not just a real estate brand but a global symbol of power capitalism – equal parts luxury, loyalty, and lobbying. Its ventures span golf courses in Scotland, towers in Panama and Vancouver, and now, strategic developments across Asia and the Middle East.

That India, through Ambani, is now part of this nexus carries implications far beyond licensing fees. It raises questions such as – 

—Where does business end and diplomacy begin?

—Can a billionaire who sits at the table with a U.S. president remain a neutral private citizen?

—And in this age of blurred boundaries, are we witnessing the creation of a new power elite—one that doesn’t run for office, but writes the checks?

Thus, the real conflict is not just of interest, this and many such partnerships
are in essence no longer just about a tower in Mumbai but about how global business are increasingly shaping – and sometimes bypassing – official diplomacy. It’s about relationships cultivated not in boardrooms or parliaments, but over $1 million dinners and billion-dollar partnerships. 

The White House insists there are “no conflicts of interest.” But in a world where billionaires dine with presidents and walk away with preferential deals, perhaps the conflict isn’t legal – it’s also moral, because when private wealth and public power begin to merge, the question isn’t who holds influence – it’s who’s left without it.

The Last Bit,

Therefore, the fine line between national duty and personal deals, balancing a nation’s well-being against personal business interests is not just difficult, it’s nearly impossible when you’re a global tycoon occupying the highest public office.

For Example, Donald Trump’s past dealings with Russian oligarchs – even as Washington’s stance toward Moscow remained adversarial – shows this tension. Despite sanctions and deteriorating diplomatic ties, Trump-branded properties and financing have had links to Russian capital, raising eyebrows about whether private incentives may have influenced public positions.

Similar patterns have emerged elsewhere. In Turkey, Trump once admitted to having a “conflict of interest” due to his business interests there. In the Philippines, the appointment of a Trump business partner as a special envoy to the U.S. during his presidency sparked concerns over blurred loyalties.

The Mukesh Ambani-Trump partnership is merely the latest, and perhaps one of the most strategic chapters in this playbook, where geopolitics and personal gain dance on a dangerously thin line.

In such a world, one has to ask – when billionaires wear both political and corporate hats, who ensures the compass still points to the country’s true north?