Donald Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. He is on a four-day visit to the wealthy Gulf region. The visit focuses more on economic deals than pressing regional security matters. These include the war in Gaza and talks over Iran’s nuclear program.
Trump is visiting Riyadh, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. He has powerful American business leaders with him. He has not scheduled a stop in Israel. This decision has raised questions about Israel’s standing in Washington’s priorities.
Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih opened the forum. He said, “While energy remains a cornerstone of our relationship, the investments and business opportunities in the kingdom have expanded and multiplied many, many times over.” He also said, “As a result … when Saudis and Americans join forces very good things happen, more often than not great things happen when those joint ventures happen.” This was before Trump’s arrival.
Trump hopes to secure trillions of dollars of investments from the Gulf oil producers. Saudi Arabia has pledged $600 billion. Trump has said he wants $1 trillion from the kingdom. The kingdom is one of Washington’s most important allies.
The Saudi-US investment forum began with a video. It showed soaring eagles and falcons and celebrated the long history between the United States and the kingdom. Larry Fink, Stephen A. Schwartzman, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al Jadaan and Falih sat at the front of a palatial hall.
Fink spoke at a forum panel as Trump touched down in Riyadh. He said he had traveled to Saudi Arabia more than 65 times over 20 years. He said the kingdom had been a follower when he first started visiting. Now, he said, it is “taking control” and broadening its economy out of its oil base.
Trump punched the air after landing. He caught sight of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MbS. Then he shook hands with the de facto leader.
MbS has focused on weaning the kingdom’s economy off hydrocarbon dependence. He is doing this in a major reform programme dubbed Vision 2030. This includes “Giga-projects” such as NEOM, a futuristic city the size of Belgium. The kingdom has had to scale back some of its lofty ambitions. Rising costs and falling oil prices weigh on it.
Saudi Arabia and the U.S. have maintained strong ties for decades. The ties are based on an ironclad arrangement. The kingdom delivers oil, and the superpower provides security.
Trump has also said he may travel to Turkey on Thursday. There, potential face-to-face talks between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Russia’s war in Ukraine could happen. An aide to Zelenskiy said the Ukrainian president would only take part if Putin does. The Russian leader has not said if he will attend. He has questioned Zelenskiy’s legitimacy.
Trump’s second foreign trip since returning to the presidency comes at a time of geopolitical tension. His first was to Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral.
His administration is pushing for a settlement in Ukraine. It is also pushing for a new aid mechanism for Gaza. This is after 19 months of war. It is urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree a new ceasefire deal there.
Israeli officials have put a brave face on Trump’s decision to bypass Israel during his trip. However, growing doubts exist in Israel about its position in his priorities. Frustration mounts in Washington over the failure to end the Gaza war.
U.S. and Iranian negotiators met in Oman over the weekend. They discussed a potential deal to curb Tehran’s nuclear program. Trump has threatened military action against Iran if diplomacy fails.
Iran’s Nournews quoted armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri. He said Iran’s neighbours should retain neutrality as Trump visits the Gulf. He added that any aggression against Iran would lead to definitive retaliation.
Apart from the possible Turkey side trip, those matters are not the focus of Trump’s Middle East swing as now scheduled.
Trump is expected to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth more than $100 billion. Sources told Reuters this. This could include a range of advanced weapons.
Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said last week he expected progress imminently on expanding the Abraham Accords. Trump brokered these deals in his first term. Arab states including the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco recognized Israel through them.
Netanyahu’s opposition makes progress on similar talks with Riyadh unlikely. He opposes a permanent stop to the war in Gaza. He also opposes the creation of a Palestinian state.
Trump’s second and third stops are in Qatar and the UAE. They are similarly expected to focus on economic issues.
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