During his latest Middle Eastern tour, President Trump emphasized the strong US-Saudi partnership, highlighting the substantial economic ties between the two nations. His visit, focused on securing investments, began with a lavish welcome in Riyadh, including a striking lavender carpet.
A significant $142 billion arms deal between the US and Saudi Arabia was announced, along with further investment agreements potentially totaling $1 trillion. President Trump also pledged to lift all sanctions against Syria, expressing hope for the nation’s future.
This trip, following a similar visit in 2017, includes stops in Qatar and the UAE. The president’s remarks at an investment forum lauded the strengthened US-Saudi relationship, emphasizing the influx of wealth into the American economy.
Trump openly expressed his fondness for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, framing the substantial US support as a consequence of this personal relationship. This visit contrasted sharply with former President Biden’s more reserved approach following the murder of a journalist.
President Trump framed his trip as crucial for fostering economic development and mitigating conflict in the Middle East, through the facilitation of trade and investment. The trip included prominent business leaders such as Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Larry Fink, and Jensen Huang.
Significant technology deals were announced, including Nvidia’s sale of over 18,000 AI chips to a Saudi Arabian company. Blackwell also announced data center deployments across the kingdom. President Trump also voiced his desire for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, although Crown Prince Salman indicated this would require a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
While briefly addressing the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Trump focused on the need for a better future for Gazans, while criticizing Hamas’ actions. He also announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria, a move attributed to a request from the Crown Prince.
The lifting of sanctions, after over a decade, marks a significant shift for Syria and has been welcomed by its foreign minister as a fresh start. A meeting between Trump and Syria’s new president was expected. The trip will conclude with visits to Qatar and the UAE, the latter having pledged $1.4 trillion in US investment.
Further details regarding the legal proceedings, citizenship policies, the acceptance of a Qatari aircraft, economic developments, and legal challenges to executive orders are pending.