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U.S. Creates Sovereign Wealth Fund With Potential To Acquire TikTok

In a surprising move, U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to create a sovereign wealth fund within the next 12 months, which could include the acquisition of the popular short-video app TikTok. The fund’s purpose would be to manage U.S. assets and generate wealth for the nation, with Trump promising it would benefit American citizens.

The sovereign wealth fund could be structured similarly to other such funds in countries across the globe, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, which use them to make direct investments. While the executive order provided little detail on the fund’s operations, it directed the U.S. Treasury and Commerce Departments to submit a comprehensive plan, including funding mechanisms and investment strategies, within 90 days.

Trump has previously expressed support for creating a government-backed investment vehicle during his presidential campaign. He envisioned it as a tool to fund key national projects such as infrastructure, manufacturing, and medical research. The fund would likely be financed through innovative sources, including tariffs, though no clear explanation has been provided yet on its structure or funding.

In contrast to typical sovereign wealth funds, which rely on a country’s budget surplus, the U.S. operates at a deficit, which makes the funding approach more complex. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the fund’s creation would focus on monetizing U.S. assets, particularly those on the country’s balance sheet. However, many experts believe that the creation of such a fund would require Congressional approval, as it may involve legislation to authorize new funding sources.

The possibility of the fund purchasing TikTok has drawn significant attention. Trump suggested that the fund might acquire the social media platform, which has around 170 million U.S. users, after its ownership by Chinese company ByteDance became a subject of national security concerns. A law mandating ByteDance to sell its U.S. assets or face a ban took effect in January, but Trump has delayed its enforcement by 75 days, citing ongoing negotiations. Trump stated that if a suitable deal could be reached, TikTok would potentially become part of the sovereign wealth fund. However, he also indicated that this was not a certainty, leaving the decision still to be made.

This announcement follows reports that the Biden administration had also explored the idea of establishing a similar fund. However, as Trump’s plan unfolds, it remains uncertain whether it will materialize within the expected timeframe. Sovereign wealth funds manage over $8 trillion globally, and with this new initiative, the U.S. could join the ranks of nations leveraging such funds for national investment purposes.

Forbes Middle East Unveils 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen Of 2025

Forbes Middle East has unveiled its much-anticipated 2025 ranking of the region’s top businesswomen, spotlighting influential leaders reshaping industries and driving meaningful transformation. The list was based on business size, individual accomplishments, leadership impact, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Top Spot For Hana Al Rostamani

For the third consecutive year, Hana Al Rostamani, Group CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank (UAE’s largest bank by assets), claims the top position. In addition to retaining her position in the Forbes Middle East ranking, she was also featured on Forbes’ 2024 list of the World’s Most Powerful Women, securing the 60th position globally. Under her leadership, the bank achieved an impressive $3.5 billion in net profits and $334.8 billion in assets in the first nine months of 2024.

Rising Stars In The Top 10

Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar of NBK Group and Shaista Asif, cofounder and Group CEO of PureHealth Holding, take the second and third spots respectively, completing the top three.

The top 10 remains largely unchanged from last year, with Tayba Al Hashemi of ADNOC Offshore, Alisha Moopen of Aster DM Healthcare GCC, and Suzanne Al Anani of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) making their debut in the top 10. In total, 27 new leaders have joined the list this year.

A Diverse And Powerful Group Of Women

This year’s list features 100 women from 32 sectors and 29 nationalities, underlining the diversity of talent driving the region’s progress. The banking and financial services sector leads with 25 entries, followed by healthcare and technology with nine each, and venture capital with five. Remarkably, 40% of the top 10 women are from the banking and financial services sector. Notably, Shaista Asif (PureHealth Holding) and Alisha Moopen (Aster DM Healthcare GCC) are the only non-Arab women in the top 10.

UAE Leads With 46 Leaders

The UAE continues to dominate, with 46 of the women on the list hailing from the country, solidifying its status as a global business hub. Egypt follows with 18 influential women, and Saudi Arabia claims nine entries. Egyptians lead in representation, followed by Emiratis and Lebanese women.

Empowering Women Through Initiatives

Several of the leaders have focused on upskilling and creating opportunities for women. Susana Rodriguez Puerta launched the ‘sAIdaty’ initiative in collaboration with the Dubai Business Women Council, aimed at providing 500 female council members in the UAE with AI skills. Similarly, Lamia Tazi of SOTHEMA collaborated with the Foundation for Research, Development, and Innovation in Science and Engineering to provide scholarships to PhD students from low-income backgrounds.

Click here for the full list.

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