President Trump’s upcoming visit to Gulf states this week aims to secure substantial new investment for the US economy. Economist Karen Young, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, notes that President Trump seeks a highly visible announcement of increased Gulf investment.

She explains, “He wants a prominent display detailing the investment’s allocation and projected impact on job creation and domestic manufacturing.” His trip begins in Riyadh on May 13th, with a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Subsequently, he will participate in a Gulf leaders’ summit on May 14th, followed by visits to Qatar and the UAE, concluding the three-day trip on May 15th. The visit to Saudi Arabia was initially planned as the first overseas trip of his second term, highlighting the region’s economic significance.

This prioritization underscores the importance of securing new investment from Gulf states, particularly from their sovereign wealth funds, to demonstrate the success of his “America First” agenda. Top Wall Street and Silicon Valley executives are accompanying him, participating in a Saudi-US investment forum featuring CEOs from major corporations.

This initiative comes amidst economic headwinds, including the impact of President Trump’s import tariffs on global trade and the US economy, which experienced its first decline in three years during the first quarter. While Prince Mohammed previously announced a $600 billion Saudi investment in the US over four years, Trump reportedly aims for $1 trillion, including military equipment purchases.

Saudi commentator Ali Shihabi anticipates numerous economic agreements, including joint ventures and procurement of American goods and weapons. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), managing $925 billion in assets, already holds substantial US investments.

The UAE has also pledged $1.4 trillion in US investment over ten years. However, Young cautions against overestimating the short-term impact, describing these figures as long-term strategic moves. Significant arms sales are expected, potentially exceeding $100 billion, including missiles and aircraft.

The Biden administration previously halted offensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia due to concerns about the Yemen conflict and the Khashoggi assassination. However, sales resumed, with some suggesting US aims to secure Saudi assistance in resolving the Gaza conflict. Shihabi states Saudi Arabia seeks streamlined procurement of military equipment.

Artificial intelligence will also be a key focus, with discussions centered on attracting Gulf investment in US tech firms and enhancing access to American semiconductors. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are heavily investing in AI and tech diversification. The Trump administration recently rescinded Biden-era chip export restrictions, paving the way for direct negotiations.

While Trump seeks Gulf investment for the US, Saudi Arabia concurrently aims to attract American investment in its Vision 2030 program, encompassing significant construction projects and economic diversification. However, foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia declined in 2024, and the recent fall in oil prices has added financial pressure.

The decline in oil prices, partly attributed by some to Opec+’s increased output potentially aimed at pleasing Trump, has added pressure to Saudi finances. The US-Saudi Business Council hopes Trump’s visit will encourage greater American investment in Saudi Arabia’s AI, healthcare, and education sectors.

For Saudi Arabia, the visit strengthens ties with a key Western ally, while for President Trump, it presents an opportunity to showcase significant investment deals bolstering his economic agenda. Shihabi concludes, “President Trump seeks a headline of substantial US investments, and this trip will deliver that.”

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President Trump’s upcoming visit to Gulf states this week aims to secure substantial new investments for the U.S. economy.

Karen Young, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, notes that “President Trump wants the announcement [of increased Gulf investment in the US],” aiming for a visual presentation detailing investment allocation and projected economic impact, including job creation and domestic manufacturing growth.

Beginning in Riyadh on May 13th, Trump will meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, attend a Gulf summit on May 14th, visit Qatar, and conclude his trip in the UAE on May 15th.

The trip’s economic significance is underscored by its intended status as the first overseas visit of his second term, postponed only due to Pope Francis’s passing. The selection of Saudi Arabia, rather than traditional initial destinations like the UK, Canada, or Mexico, further highlights its economic importance.

Securing Gulf investments, particularly from sovereign wealth funds, bolsters Trump’s “America First” agenda. The visit is attracting top Wall Street and Silicon Valley leaders to Saudi Arabia for a Saudi-US investment forum on May 13th, featuring CEOs from major corporations including BlackRock, Palantir, Citigroup, IBM, Qualcomm, Alphabet, and Franklin Templeton.

This push coincides with economic headwinds stemming from Trump’s import tariffs, impacting global trade and the U.S. economy, which experienced its first quarterly decline in three years.

While Prince Mohammed previously announced a $600 billion Saudi investment over four years, Trump reportedly seeks a $1 trillion commitment, including military procurements. Ali Shihabi, a Saudi commentator with government ties, anticipates numerous economic agreements, including joint ventures and weapons purchases.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), managing $925 billion in assets, already holds significant U.S. investments (Uber, Electronic Arts, Lucid Motors), and the UAE pledged $1.4 trillion over ten years across various sectors. However, Young cautions against taking these large figures at face value, characterizing them as long-term strategic goals.

Reports suggest a Saudi Arabian commitment exceeding $100 billion for U.S. arms and military equipment, including missiles and aircraft. While the U.S. has been a long-time arms supplier, sales were halted in 2021 due to concerns about Saudi Arabia’s role in the Yemen war and the Khashoggi assassination. Sales resumed last year, with some suggesting U.S. aims to secure Saudi assistance in resolving the Gaza conflict.

Shihabi indicates Saudi Arabia seeks improvements to the U.S. procurement system for faster access to equipment. Artificial intelligence will also be central, focusing on attracting Gulf investment in U.S. tech firms and semiconductor access. The recent removal of Biden-era chip export restrictions opens avenues for direct negotiations.

Young emphasizes the UAE’s urgent need for U.S. technology to advance its AI capabilities. While the focus is on U.S. investment gains, Saudi Arabia also seeks American participation in its Vision 2030 program, despite challenges in attracting foreign investment, particularly due to the recent fall in oil prices.

The fall in oil prices has been attributed, by some, to Opec+’s increased production to appease Trump’s calls for lower prices, while others point to Opec+’s confidence in global economic growth. The U.S.-Saudi Business Council hopes to leverage Trump’s visit to promote American investment in Saudi Arabia’s AI, healthcare, and education sectors.

Ultimately, Saudi Arabia seeks to bolster its relationship with the U.S., while Trump aims for significant investment deals as a win for his economic policies. Shihabi concludes that “President Trump is looking for a headline of big investments in America, and he will get that from this trip.”

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In the first major diplomatic trip during his second term, the president is hoping to secure significant new investment in the US in the four-day trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE.

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President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Gulf states this week will prioritize securing substantial new investments for the US economy.

According to Karen Young, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, “President Trump desires a prominent announcement of increased Gulf investment in the US,” aiming for a visual presentation detailing investment allocations and projected economic impact, including job creation and bolstering domestic manufacturing.

Trump’s trip begins in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 13th, with a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. A subsequent Gulf leaders’ summit on May 14th precedes visits to Qatar and the UAE on May 14th and 15th, respectively.

The trip’s economic significance is underscored by Saudi Arabia’s initial designation as the first overseas destination for Trump’s second term, prior to Pope Francis’s passing necessitating attendance at his funeral in Rome.

This mirrors his first term’s inaugural overseas visit, deviating from the conventional US presidential practice of beginning with visits to the UK, Canada, or Mexico. The visit aims to demonstrate the success of his “America First” policy by attracting significant investments.

The visit is attracting prominent figures from Wall Street and Silicon Valley to Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-US investment forum on May 13th in Riyadh will feature CEOs from major corporations including BlackRock, Palantir, Citigroup, IBM, Qualcomm, Alphabet, and Franklin Templeton.

This push comes amidst economic challenges, as Trump’s import tariffs have disrupted global trade and impacted US economic performance, which saw a decline in the first quarter of the year.

While Prince Mohammed previously announced a $600 billion Saudi investment in the US over four years, Trump has expressed a desire for this to reach $1 trillion, potentially including increased US military equipment purchases.

Ali Shihabi, a Saudi commentator with government ties, anticipates numerous economic agreements during the visit, integrating both economies through joint ventures, procurement of US goods and weaponry.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), managing $925 billion in assets, already holds significant US investments in companies such as Uber, Electronic Arts, and Lucid Motors. The UAE has separately committed $1.4 trillion in US investments over ten years across various sectors.

However, Young cautions that the short-term realization of these figures is unrealistic, considering them long-term strategic moves. Reports suggest Saudi Arabia will agree to purchase over $100 billion in US military equipment, including missiles, radar systems, and aircraft.

This follows the Biden administration’s earlier suspension of offensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia due to concerns regarding the Yemen conflict and the Jamal Khashoggi assassination. While the Biden administration later resumed these sales, some commentators suggest this was influenced by seeking Saudi assistance in resolving the Gaza conflict and post-conflict reconstruction.

Shihabi notes Saudi Arabia will seek assurances of a more efficient US procurement system for quicker access to military equipment. Artificial intelligence will also be a key agenda item, focusing on attracting Gulf investment in US tech and enhancing access to advanced US semiconductors.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia are heavily investing in AI and technology diversification. The Trump administration’s recent reversal of Biden-era chip export restrictions to Gulf states signifies a willingness for direct negotiation on technology access.

While the US aims to attract Gulf investment, Saudi Arabia seeks to attract US investment in its Vision 2030 program, focusing on infrastructure projects, entertainment, tourism, mining, and sports. However, foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia declined for three consecutive years in 2024, reflecting challenges in attracting foreign capital.

Recent declines in global oil prices further strain Saudi finances. While some commentators suggest Opec+’s increased oil production was partly to appease Trump’s call for lower prices, others attribute this to economic growth expectations.

The US-Saudi Business Council hopes Trump’s visit will encourage American businesses to explore opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s AI, healthcare, and education sectors. Saudi officials are optimistic about securing deals in these areas during the visit.

For Saudi Arabia, the visit focuses on strengthening ties with a key Western ally. For Trump, it’s about securing investment deals to bolster his economic agenda. Shihabi concludes that Trump will indeed secure significant investment announcements during this trip.

President Trump’s whirlwind tour of Gulf nations focuses primarily on securing substantial investment commitments.

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Information regarding planned layoffs unrelated to this topic has been removed.

Numerous high-ranking officials and business leaders greeted President Trump upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.

During his second term’s first major foreign trip, President Trump aims to secure substantial new US investments during his four-day visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.

President Trump’s upcoming visit to Gulf states this week aims to secure substantial new investment for the US economy. Economist Karen Young, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, notes that President Trump seeks a highly visible announcement of increased Gulf funding for the US.

She explains, “He wants a prominent display outlining potential investment destinations and their projected impact on job creation and domestic manufacturing.” The trip begins in Riyadh on May 13th with a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, followed by a Gulf leaders summit on May 14th, before proceeding to Qatar and the UAE.

The visit’s economic significance is underscored by Saudi Arabia’s initial designation as the first overseas trip of Trump’s second term, pre-dating the Pope’s funeral in Rome. This prioritization mirrors his first term, where Saudi Arabia was his inaugural international destination, a departure from typical US presidential precedent.

Securing investment from Gulf states, particularly through their sovereign wealth funds, reinforces Trump’s “America First” agenda. The visit draws prominent Wall Street and Silicon Valley leaders to Riyadh for a Saudi-US investment forum on May 13th, featuring CEOs from major firms like BlackRock, Palantir, and others.

This push coincides with economic headwinds, including the impact of Trump’s import tariffs and a recent decline in US economic output. While Prince Mohammed previously announced a $600 billion Saudi investment over four years, Trump aims for a $1 trillion commitment, including increased military procurement.

Saudi commentator Ali Shihabi anticipates numerous economic agreements, including joint ventures and increased US arms purchases. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), with $925 billion in assets, already holds significant US investments, such as in Uber and Lucid Motors. The UAE has also pledged $1.4 trillion in US investments over ten years.

Young cautions that the scale of these investments may not be immediately realized, viewing them as long-term strategic moves. One widely reported deal involves over $100 billion in Saudi Arabian purchases of US military equipment, including missiles and aircraft. This follows the Biden administration’s temporary halt on offensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia in 2021, later reversed.

Shihabi expects improved US procurement systems to facilitate these sales. Artificial intelligence is another key agenda item, focusing on increased Gulf investment in US tech and semiconductor access. The recent rescinding of Biden-era chip export restrictions paves the way for potential new regulations and direct negotiations with countries like the UAE.

While Trump seeks Gulf investment for the US, Saudi Arabia aims to attract American investment into its Vision 2030 program, despite a recent decline in foreign direct investment. The fall in global oil prices, partly attributed to Opec+ production increases, adds pressure on Riyadh’s finances. The US-Saudi Business Council hopes to further encourage American business engagement in sectors like AI and healthcare.

Ultimately, Trump’s visit aims to bolster US-Saudi relations and secure significant investment deals, while for Saudi Arabia, it’s about strengthening ties with a key Western ally. Shihabi concludes that Trump’s trip will yield a substantial headline-grabbing investment announcement for the US.

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