Trump Begins Mideast Tour with Saudi Royal Welcome/ Newwlooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump began a four-day Middle East trip in Saudi Arabia with a warm welcome from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The visit emphasizes business ties and regional cooperation while crises in Gaza and Iran simmer in the background. Trump’s itinerary excludes Israel, underscoring shifting alliances.
Trump Launches Gulf Tour in Saudi Arabia Amid Regional Turmoil – Quick Looks
- Trump welcomed in Riyadh by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
- U.S. president to focus on energy, defense, and AI investments.
- Business titans including Elon Musk, Larry Fink attend Saudi events.
- Trump skipping Israel visit, signaling growing Gulf influence.
- Biden-era tensions with MBS contrast sharply with Trump’s reception.
- Trump to visit Qatar and UAE next; major deals expected.
- Background tensions persist over Gaza war and Iran nuclear talks.
- Gulf normalization with Israel hinges on progress for Palestinians.
Trump Begins Mideast Tour with Saudi Royal Welcome
Deep Look
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — President Donald Trump began a high-profile four-day tour of the Middle East on Tuesday, landing in Saudi Arabia to a lavish welcome from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The trip underscores a transactional approach to foreign policy focused on economic partnerships, energy cooperation, and geopolitical alignment with Gulf allies — even as the crises in Gaza and Iran simmer behind the scenes.
Royal Welcome in Riyadh
Trump arrived in King Khalid International Airport and was greeted on the tarmac by the Saudi crown prince. Inside the airport’s grand hall, ceremonial Arabic coffee was served by attendants in traditional dress and ceremonial gun-belts — a nod to Arab hospitality and formality.
Ahead of his landing, Trump’s plane was escorted by Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 fighter jets, reinforcing the prestige of the visit.
The two leaders then attended a formal lunch at the Royal Court, joined by top aides and U.S. business leaders, including:
- Stephen Schwarzman (Blackstone Group)
- Larry Fink (BlackRock)
- Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX)
Business Over Politics: Economic Deals in Focus
Trump’s Saudi stop prioritizes investment announcements, energy partnerships, and AI collaboration. He is also scheduled to attend a U.S.-Saudi investment summit, where officials like Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih proclaimed:
“When Saudis and Americans join forces, very good things happen — more often than not, great things happen.”
The Trump Organization has ongoing real estate projects in all three countries on the president’s itinerary: a tower in Jeddah, a hotel in Dubai, and a golf complex in Qatar — prompting ethical questions over blending personal business with public diplomacy.
Oil Strategy and Economic Crossroads
Trump praised Gulf nations for boosting oil output, which he views as critical to curbing U.S. inflation and pressuring Russia amid the Ukraine conflict. Yet, Saudi Arabia’s economy still heavily depends on oil, needing prices between $96–$98 a barrel to balance its budget.
As of Monday, Brent crude was trading at just $64.77, raising concerns over how long OPEC+ can sustain increased production without jeopardizing long-term financial stability.
“Lower oil prices don’t imperil economic diversification programs — but they make them harder,” noted Jon Alterman, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Skipping Israel Sends a Message
Trump’s decision to exclude Israel from his itinerary has raised eyebrows. While U.S. strikes on Houthi rebels have paused, Israeli leaders say they were not consulted — echoing earlier episodes where Israel was left out of key Trump administration negotiations with Hamas and Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed frustration:
“Israel will defend itself by itself. If others join us — our American friends — all the better.”
William Wechsler, of the Atlantic Council, noted the symbolism:
“The main message… is that the Gulf governments are stronger friends to Trump than the current Israeli government.”
Hopes for Israeli-Saudi Normalization
Trump also hopes to revive his Abraham Accords momentum, working toward a normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel. But Riyadh’s terms remain steep: U.S. defense guarantees, help with nuclear energy, and progress toward Palestinian statehood.
With Gaza still under siege and Israeli forces escalating operations, expectations for diplomatic breakthroughs remain low.
Prince Mohammed’s recent meeting with Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh was widely interpreted as a signal to Trump: don’t expect normalization without movement on Palestinian rights.
“That’s a preemptive, ‘Don’t even think of asking us to show goodwill toward normalization,’” said Hussain Abdul-Hussain, of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
What’s Next on Trump’s Trip?
After Saudi Arabia, Trump will head to:
- Qatar – for high-level meetings and likely business announcements.
- United Arab Emirates – where energy, tech, and defense deals are expected.
In total, Trump is expected to unveil more than $1 trillion in deals and investments, though analysts remain cautious about how much of that will materialize in the short term.
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