U.S. President Donald Trump kicked off a high-stakes tour of the Gulf on Tuesday, landing in Saudi Arabia with one major goal: locking in mega investment deals that could reshape the U.S. economy and boost his global influence.
Greeted at Riyadh airport by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) and a delegation of U.S. business titans including Elon Musk and Sam Altman, Trump’s arrival signaled more business than diplomacy. His itinerary includes stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, but notably skips Israel—a move sparking debate about shifting U.S. priorities in the region.
At the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum, the tone was clear: America and Saudi Arabia are open for business. Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih emphasized the expanding economic relationship between the two nations, noting that collaboration has consistently produced “great things.”
Trump’s visit aims to secure trillions of dollars in investment, with rumors swirling about potential arms deals exceeding $100 billion. During a meeting at the Royal Court, Trump called MbS “a friend” and joked that Saudi Arabia’s pledge of $600 billion might soon balloon to $1 trillion. “I really believe we like each other a lot,” Trump said with a smile.
The forum featured high-profile figures like Larry Fink of BlackRock and Stephen Schwarzman of Blackstone, alongside Saudi finance leaders. The event underlined a growing alliance fueled by strategic business interests.
MbS’s Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s blueprint for economic diversification, is front and center. The futuristic NEOM city project, about the size of Belgium, is one of several “Giga-projects” in progress. NEOM’s Deputy CEO Rayan Fayez revealed that about $1 billion is already flowing into cutting-edge technologies—most of it headed for U.S. firms.
Despite recent budget adjustments and oil price fluctuations, the Saudi-U.S. alliance remains resilient. It’s a relationship long anchored by a swap: oil for U.S. security guarantees. However, Trump’s rapport with MbS is notably warmer than his predecessor Joe Biden’s, especially after the 2018 Jamal Khashoggi controversy.
Trump’s Gulf tour comes as geopolitical tensions ripple across the globe—from the war in Gaza to Iran’s weakened stance post-conflict. Trump has leveraged these events to bolster U.S. regional sway, including potential talks in Turkey over Ukraine and a fresh aid mechanism for Gaza.
While Israeli officials publicly downplay Trump’s decision to bypass Israel, internal frustrations are growing. As Trump pushes Arab states toward normalization with Israel, insiders believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reluctance to end the Gaza war or recognize a Palestinian state could hinder further breakthroughs.
In the background, U.S.-Iran negotiations quietly resumed in Oman, centered on Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Trump has warned that if diplomacy fails, military options remain on the table.
This visit marks a pivotal moment in Trump’s foreign policy strategy—one focused less on solving long-standing conflicts and more on clinching billion-dollar deals that promise economic clout and political capital.
