U.S. President Donald Trump has landed in Saudi Arabia, marking the first leg of his four-day Gulf tour, primarily aimed at forging economic agreements, while the region grapples with security issues like the Gaza war and the growing concerns surrounding Iran‘s nuclear ambitions.
Joined by prominent business figures, including Tesla CEO and close ally Elon Musk, Trump’s initial stop is Riyadh, where he will attend the U.S.-Saudi Arabia Investment Forum. His itinerary includes Qatar on Wednesday and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.
Upon arrival, trumpets sounded as Donald Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman walked across a purple carpet to a pavilion for the welcome ceremony at the Saudi Royal Court.
Trump saluted during the U.S. national anthem and stood respectfully during the Saudi anthem before engaging in conversations with various Saudi royals.
Following the ceremony, a cavalry unit escorted Trump’s presidential limousine to the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also hosted CEOs from leading technology companies alongside President Trump at the royal palace, engaging in discussions with Musk, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and OpenAI chief Sam Altman.
The business executives are set to contribute to collaborative investments between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, Trump indicated a potential visit to Turkey on Thursday, where a meeting involving Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky might take place. This marks Trump’s second international trip since starting his second presidential term, following his visit to Rome for Pope Francis’s funeral, occurring amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
Trump and the Geopolitical Landscape of the Middle East
Beyond addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the Trump administration aims to establish new support measures for the conflict-ridden Gaza and is advocating for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire in the region.
Last weekend, American and Iranian negotiators met in Oman to discuss a potential agreement regarding Tehran’s nuclear efforts. Trump has warned of possible military action against Iran if diplomatic solutions fail.
However, aside from the prospective trip to Turkey, such issues are not the primary focus of Trump’s current Middle East visit.
Collaborations between the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are anticipated to lead to announcements of investments potentially reaching trillions of dollars. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia committed to investing $600 billion in the U.S. over the next four years, though Trump has expressed intentions to aim for a total of $1 trillion.
Alongside Musk, notable business leaders accompanying Trump include BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser, with Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also in attendance.
During his stay in Riyadh, reports suggest Trump will propose a defense agreement with Saudi Arabia exceeding $100 billion, potentially encompassing a variety of advanced weapon systems, including C-130 transport aircraft.
Despite Trump’s longstanding efforts to promote the normalization of relations between Riyadh and Israel, discussions on this topic are expected to be sidelined during his visit, as noted by Reuters sources.
Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, recently expressed optimism about progress in the Abraham Accords, which facilitated recognition of Israel by several Arab states during Trump’s first term.
Nonetheless, Netanyahu’s reluctance to end the Gaza conflict or support a Palestinian state poses challenges for advancement in talks with Riyadh, according to sources. Discussions in Qatar and the UAE are likewise anticipated to concentrate on economic matters.
The Qatari royal family reportedly plans to present Trump with a lavish Boeing 747-8, which would be modified for use as a presidential aircraft (Air Force One). This proposal has sparked debate, given that the U.S. Constitution prohibits officials from accepting gifts from foreign leaders. Trump has stated he intends to donate the aircraft to his presidential library foundation upon leaving office.
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