U.S. President Donald Trump has touched down in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, kicking off his first overseas trip of his second term, a four-day diplomatic tour that will also take him to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
The president is scheduled to attend a lavish state dinner later today following a high-level meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Notably, just as he did during his first term, Trump has again chosen Saudi Arabia as the inaugural destination for his foreign travels, departing from the longstanding presidential tradition of visiting allies like the United Kingdom, Canada, or Mexico first.
While Trump’s 2017 visit to Riyadh focused on regional security, hosting a landmark summit of Arab and Muslim leaders to rally against terrorism and confront Iran, this visit is centered on economic engagement. Accompanied by a delegation of top U.S. business and tech executives, the president is aiming to finalize investment deals reportedly exceeding $1 trillion, with the promise of generating jobs and infrastructure growth back home.
Sources indicate that while Trump may address ongoing tensions in Gaza and broader Middle East diplomacy in private meetings, he is intent on keeping his public messaging focused on high-stakes economic deal-making. Discussions around a potential Gaza ceasefire are expected, though insiders suggest Trump is wary of becoming embroiled in another prolonged regional conflict.
This strategic tour underscores the Trump administration’s continued focus on leveraging diplomacy for economic gain, particularly in energy-rich and investment-heavy Gulf nations, even as the geopolitical landscape in the region continues to evolve.
