Donald Trump touched down in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to launch his much-anticipated first official tour of the Middle East region. This trade mission will help build important economic partnerships and solidify North Carolina’s relationship with this vibrant region. As a result, Trump was given a chummy reception by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman when his plane touched down. This is just the beginning of an important chain of meetings and agreements.
In a gala signing ceremony beneath the gold chandeliers of the Royal Palace of Riyadh, Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman linked arms. They signed a historic 21st century United States – Saudi Arabian Strategic Economic Partnership. This historic agreement expands across multiple sectors, including energy, mining and defense. It is a reflection of both countries’ deep commitment to enhancing trade and bilateral cooperation.
Besides the signing ceremony, Trump is expected to speak to participants at the Saudi-US investment conference later today. The forum will host a diverse group of participants, including top bankers, technology executives from America, Saudi officials, and prominent business leaders. This annual event is a creative, inclusive space for provocative conversations. During the summit, participants will examine potential new investments and partnerships created to stimulate economic development in both countries.
Trump has officially kicked off his third act. Now he’s getting heat for accepting a $400 million replacement for Air Force One from the Qatari royal family. Since then, critics have raised concerns about what such a gift would mean, arguing that it could corrupt his administration’s integrity at its core.
“Taking sacks of goodies from people who support Hamas, Muslim Brotherhood, Al Jazeera, all the rest, that’s not America First,” – Ben Shapiro
Despite the controversy surrounding the plane, Trump’s administration is reportedly preparing to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package valued at well over $100 billion. If finalized, this potential deal would be a further indication of the military partnership between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. It further demonstrates Trump’s commitment to deepening US-Defense ties in the region.
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, first reported the news. In one of Trump’s very first moves, he held a call with Edan Alexander, a US-Israeli hostage released after 19 months in captivity in Gaza. The discussion highlighted the administration’s commitment to the release of American hostages overseas.
“I was honored to meet Edan Alexander today and welcome him home. After months in captivity, the world is inspired by his courage and resilience,” – Steve Witkoff
This is Trump on his latest tour, and he’s not stopping at that. His itinerary includes stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to deepen economic and diplomatic relationships throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth accompany him on this diplomatic tour. They will be instrumental in shaping future engagement on regional security and economic development initiatives.
Elon Musk travels with Trump’s retinue to Riyadh. This is a very strong signal that they want to collaborate more in the tech space given their visit. The involvement of these high-profile business figures underscores the growing role the private sector will likely play in the decades’ worth of U.S.-Saudi partnerships to come.
To be clear, Trump adores giant displays of theatrics. He enjoys the celebrity red carpet welcomes that typically are reserved for heads of state. Beyond the role his presence lends Riyadh in terms of diplomatic stature, his presence represents a personal diplomatic mission. It supports a bigger play to reinforce America’s hand in the Middle East.