U.S. President Donald Trump kicked off a high-stakes four-day tour of the Gulf region on Tuesday, landing in Saudi Arabia with a clear agenda: mega economic deals and investment opportunities. While geopolitical flashpoints like the Gaza war and Iran’s nuclear program simmer in the background, Trump’s primary focus is business backed by a delegation of top American CEOs and government officials.
The trip began in Riyadh, where Trump was welcomed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) with a firm handshake and a shared enthusiasm for investment. The centerpiece of the Saudi leg is the Saudi-US Investment Forum, a glittering event attended by financial heavyweights including BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Blackstone CEO Stephen A. Schwarzman, and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih opened the forum with a confident message: “When Saudis and Americans join forces, great things happen.” He highlighted the expanding business relationship between the two nations, emphasizing that while energy remains a core pillar, new opportunities are rapidly emerging across sectors.
Trump’s goal? A historic $1 trillion in investments from the Gulf, particularly from Saudi Arabia, which had already pledged $600 billion. The forum opened with a dramatic video featuring soaring eagles and falcons, symbolizing the strength and legacy of U.S.-Saudi ties.
Larry Fink, speaking on a panel just as Air Force One touched down, reflected on his decades-long relationship with the kingdom. “When I first came here, Saudi was following the world. Now, it’s leading,” Fink said, noting the ambitious Vision 2030 initiative – a reform plan championed by MbS to diversify the kingdom’s economy beyond oil.
At a royal luncheon hosted by MbS, Trump was joined by a star-studded list of American innovators including Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX) and Sam Altman (OpenAI), reinforcing the tech-heavy nature of the visit.
While the business tone dominates, regional security hasn’t been completely sidelined. Trump is expected to offer Saudi Arabia a $100 billion arms deal, which could include a variety of advanced defense systems. This move aligns with the longstanding U.S.-Saudi relationship: oil in exchange for security.
Trump may also detour to Turkey on Thursday for potential talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. However, attendance remains uncertain, with Putin yet to confirm his participation.
Meanwhile, Trump’s decision to skip Israel during this trip has raised eyebrows in Tel Aviv. Israeli officials have publicly downplayed the snub, but frustration is growing in Washington over Israel’s continued military campaign in Gaza. The Biden administration still reeling from 19 months of war has been pushing hard for a new ceasefire deal and humanitarian aid for the region.
In another significant development, U.S. and Iranian negotiators met in Oman over the weekend to discuss Tehran’s nuclear program. Trump has warned that if diplomacy fails, military options are on the table. Iran, in turn, has cautioned its neighbors to remain neutral or face retaliation.
As Trump continues his Gulf tour with upcoming stops in Qatar and the UAE, attention remains fixed on whether his administration can turn bold economic ambitions into tangible, long-term partnerships, redefining U.S. engagement in the region with business, not bombs, at the forefront.