President Trump is setting off for Saudi Arabia, marking the beginning of his four-day journey in the Middle East and his first overseas mission of his second term. (Image credit: Getty Images)
Today, US President Donald Trump is arriving in Saudi Arabia as the initial stop of his Gulf visit lasting four days.
Accompanied by a selection of prominent American business figures, including Tesla CEO and Trump advisor Elon Musk, Trump’s journey will begin in Riyadh during the Saudi-US Investment Forum, followed by visits to Qatar on Wednesday and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.
Additionally, Trump has indicated a possible trip to Turkey on Thursday for prospective direct discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
This marks Trump’s second international excursion during his new presidential term, following his visit to Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral. This trip occurs amid rising global geopolitical tensions. Alongside efforts to address the war in Ukraine, the Trump administration is advocating for a new aid framework for Gaza while pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to establish a fresh ceasefire agreement.
Recently, US and Iranian representatives convened in Oman to explore possibilities for a deal aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear activities.
However, barring the potential detour to Turkey, these issues are not expected to dominate Trump’s itinerary in the Middle East.
The US, along with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and theUAE, are anticipated to declare investment agreements potentially amounting to trillions. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia had already pledged $600 billion in investments in the US over the next four years, but Trump plans to request a total of one trillion dollars.
Alongside Musk, notable business leaders such asBlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser will join the trip.
Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will accompany the president on this journey.
During his visit to Riyadh, it is anticipated that Trump will propose an arms deal for Saudi Arabia valued at over $100 billion, with sources suggesting it may encompass a variety of advanced weaponry, including C-130 transport planes.
The subsequent stops in Qatar and theUAE are likewise expected to revolve around economic discussions.