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Trump begins Middle East tour in Saudi Arabia seeking deals

Trump begins Middle East tour in Saudi Arabia seeking deals

Malik Rafaiy
May 13, 2025

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Overview of Trump's Middle East Tour Beginning in Saudi Arabia

President Donald Trump has commenced a four-day Middle East tour, starting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with subsequent stops planned in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. This marks his first major international trip since returning to the White House for a second term, and the visit is characterized by a focus on business deals, investment opportunities, and economic cooperation between the United States and Gulf nations.

Key Objectives and Focus Areas

Business and Investment Deals

The trip is centered on securing new investments from the oil-rich Gulf region and fostering closer financial ties, with Trump aiming to boost U.S. economic interests through lucrative business agreements.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has already pledged $600 billion in investments in the U.S. over the next four years, with Trump expressing a desire to increase this figure to $1 trillion.
Sectors targeted for investment include energy, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, defense, mining, tourism, and entertainment, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy beyond oil.
The U.S. is also expected to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth over $100 billion, and there is potential for a civil-nuclear deal, which has been decoupled from the issue of Saudi-Israel normalization.

High-Profile Engagements

Trump’s arrival was marked by significant ceremony, including a fighter jet escort and a lavish welcome from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Riyadh featured prominent business leaders such as Sam Altman (OpenAI), Jensen Huang (Nvidia), and Elon Musk (Tesla), as well as top U.S. officials.
Trump attended a formal dinner with the crown prince and participated in bilateral meetings at the Saudi Royal Court, emphasizing the importance of Saudi investments in creating American jobs.

Diplomatic and Security Discussions

While the primary focus is economic, Trump is also engaging in diplomatic talks on regional security, including efforts to end the war in Gaza, discussions on a possible nuclear deal with Iran, and U.S. efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear program.
Trump’s administration recently announced the halting of U.S. airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthis following their pledge to stop attacks on global shipping routes, a move that reportedly did not involve prior consultation with Israel.
The trip notably excludes a visit to Israel, reflecting a shift in Trump’s regional priorities and highlighting the current alignment of U.S. interests more closely with Gulf states than with Israel.

Notable Developments and Reactions

Trump praised Qatar for offering a luxury jet to his administration, though U.S. security officials have raised concerns about the implications for presidential security protocols.
The visit is seen as a significant opportunity for both the U.S. and Gulf nations to strengthen economic ties, with Saudi Arabia seeking to attract over $100 billion in foreign direct investment annually by 2030.
Analysts remain cautious about the feasibility of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious investment pledges, given ongoing challenges such as low oil prices and the impact of U.S. trade tariffs.

Summary Table: Key Aspects of Trump's Saudi Arabia Visit

Aspect	Details
Main Focus	Economic deals, investments, and business cooperation
Major Investment Pledge	$600 billion (goal to raise to $1 trillion) from Saudi Arabia to the U.S.
Sectors Targeted	Energy, AI, manufacturing, mining, tourism, entertainment, defense
Security/Arms Deals	Potential $100+ billion U.S. arms package for Saudi Arabia
Diplomatic Topics	Iran nuclear program, Gaza conflict, regional security, U.S.-Saudi nuclear cooperation
Notable Absence	Israel not included in the itinerary
Key Events	U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, bilateral talks, formal dinner, GCC Summit

Conclusion

Trump’s Middle East tour, beginning in Saudi Arabia, is heavily focused on securing substantial economic deals and investments, with a secondary emphasis on regional diplomatic and security issues. The tour underscores the administration’s intent to deepen U.S.-Gulf economic ties while navigating complex regional dynamics.