Riyadh: U.S. President Donald Trump launched his Middle East tour on Tuesday with a high-profile visit to Saudi Arabia, placing economic partnerships and multi-trillion-dollar investment deals at the heart of his agenda. His arrival in Riyadh marked the beginning of a three-nation trip through the Gulf region, which will include stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Trump was greeted at the airport by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) in a show of camaraderie. Exiting Air Force One, Trump raised a clenched fist, signaling solidarity. Accompanying him were some of the most influential names in global business, including Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.
The centerpiece of the visit is the Saudi-US Investment Forum, held in Riyadh, where Trump is expected to push for substantial financial commitments. Saudi Arabia has already pledged $600 billion in investments, but Trump has publicly expressed hopes of securing up to $1 trillion from one of Washington’s most vital strategic partners.
“While energy remains a cornerstone of our relationship, the investments and business opportunities in the kingdom have expanded and multiplied many, many times over,” said Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih at the forum.
“As a result… when Saudis and Americans join forces very good things happen, more often than not great things happen when those joint ventures happen,” he added.
The forum opened with a promotional video showcasing eagles and falcons in flight, symbolizing the enduring U.S.-Saudi relationship. Prominent attendees included BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Blackstone CEO Stephen A. Schwarzman, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al Jadaan.
Speaking on a panel, Fink emphasized the kingdom’s evolution: while Saudi Arabia was once a follower, it is now “taking control” and diversifying beyond its oil-dependent economy.
Elon Musk was seen conversing with both Trump and MbS during a reception at the palace. MbS’s Vision 2030 reform program, which includes futuristic “Giga-projects” like NEOM, a city planned to be the size of Belgium, remains central to these investment talks. However, economic pressures from fluctuating oil prices and rising development costs have led the kingdom to reassess certain targets.
Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also joined Trump for a private lunch with MbS, reinforcing the administration’s emphasis on technology, innovation, and finance.
Long-Standing Ties Amid Geopolitical Shifts
The U.S.-Saudi alliance has historically been underpinned by a strategic oil-for-security exchange. Trump’s current tour—his second foreign trip since returning to the presidency in January—underscores efforts to reinforce this alliance while navigating new regional dynamics.
Trump is also considering a visit to Turkey on Thursday for potential talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy over the ongoing war. However, a Zelenskiy aide stated that Ukraine’s participation is contingent on Putin’s attendance, which remains unconfirmed.
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The trip comes amid heightened regional instability. Trump’s administration is pressing for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and exploring a new humanitarian aid mechanism following 19 months of conflict. Tensions have escalated with Israel, which was noticeably left off Trump’s itinerary—a move that has sparked speculation about its current standing in U.S. foreign policy.
While Israeli officials have attempted to downplay the omission, concerns are growing in Tel Aviv over Washington’s shifting focus, particularly as frustration in the White House builds over the continued war in Gaza.
Meanwhile, recent indirect talks between U.S. and Iranian officials were held in Oman to explore options for reviving nuclear negotiations. Trump has warned that military measures remain on the table should diplomacy fail.
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Iran responded with strong rhetoric. Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri was quoted by Nournews warning regional neighbors to maintain neutrality, stating that “any aggression against Iran would lead to definitive retaliation.”
According to Reuters, Trump is preparing to offer Riyadh an arms package exceeding $100 billion, which could include a variety of advanced military systems.
Additionally, Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, recently expressed optimism about expanding the Abraham Accords—a series of normalization agreements brokered during Trump’s previous term. However, sources indicate that Israel’s refusal to halt the Gaza war or endorse a Palestinian state remains a significant roadblock to drawing Saudi Arabia into the agreement.
