Trump begins visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE with $2 trillion investment push
This is the first overseas visit of his second term
DUBAI: US President Donald Trump has landed in Riyadh for his first official overseas trip since returning to the White House in January, launching a tightly packed three-day visit to the Arabian Gulf.
The tour, which includes stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, signals Washington’s renewed focus on the region. It is also a return to tradition for Trump, who broke diplomatic norms during his first presidency by making Saudi Arabia his first foreign stop.
With investment targets nearing $2 trillion and the region gripped by tensions from Gaza to Tehran, expectations are high. A large US delegation is accompanying Trump, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Riyadh summit
Trump was greeted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman upon arrival in Riyadh on Tuesday morning. His visit kicks off with a major Gulf-US summit, attended by leaders from the six-nation GCC bloc. Discussions are expected to focus on Iran, Lebanon, and the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Top US and Saudi executives are also gathering for a joint investment forum, with attendees including BlackRock’s Larry Fink and IBM’s Arvind Krishna. Trump aims to finalise a $1 trillion Saudi pledge to US industries, building on a previous $600 billion commitment. Defence contracts are also on the table, including a possible fighter jet deal.
While nuclear cooperation remains paused, Saudi normalisation with Israel – once a central aim –has stalled due to the Gaza war.
Doha meetings
Later on Wednesday, Trump is scheduled to visit Qatar and meet Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Discussions will centre on deepening military ties – the US operates its largest regional airbase in Qatar –and regional diplomacy.
Trump may also address Syria-related sanctions, given Qatar’s ties with Damascus. Economic cooperation and new Qatari investment announcements are also expected, building on a recent $5.5 billion Trump Organisation golf deal in Doha.
Trump in UAE
Trump will wrap up his trip in the UAE on Thursday, with talks set to spotlight artificial intelligence, energy, and semiconductor investment.
The UAE has announced a Dh5.1 trillion investment strategy over the next decade, and is urging Trump to ease AI chip export restrictions. Trump’s final meeting will be with President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.
Officials say a major AI and tech investment package will be unveiled, underscoring the growing strategic weight of Gulf economies in US policymaking.
Meanwhile, the US president has sparked regional buzz by suggesting he may formally switch to calling the “Persian Gulf” the “Arabian Gulf” – a symbolic gesture with major diplomatic weight.