Article Summary
President Donald Trump visited Saudi Arabia during his first major foreign trip, marking the first foreign stop during his second term as well. The US and Saudi Arabia announced a $142bn (£107bn) arms deal, with other investments potentially worth $1tn. Trump highlighted the US-Saudi relationship as “more powerful than ever before” and sought to woo foreign investors to the US. The trip was marked by a grand reception and a lavender carpet rolled out to greet Trump, contrasting with the muted reception for former President Joe Biden in 2021.
What This Means for You
- This visit signals a strong US-Saudi partnership, with potential benefits for the US economy through trade and investment deals.
- Businesses and investors may want to explore opportunities in the US and Saudi markets, as the two countries strengthen their economic ties.
- Potential exists for increased regional stability and reduced tensions as the US and Saudi Arabia work together on various initiatives.
- As the region becomes more economically integrated, new markets and trade opportunities may emerge for businesses and investors willing to engage.
Original Post
President Donald Trump has said the US has “no stronger partner” than Saudi Arabia during his first major foreign trip – a whirlwind visit of Gulf countries mainly focused on shoring up investment.
Speaking in Riyadh, the US president also pledged to lift all sanctions against Syria, saying it was now time for the country to move forward with “a chance at greatness”.
Day one of the tour saw the US and Saudi Arabia announce a $142bn (£107bn) arms deal, as well as other investments that the country’s crown prince said could eventually be worth $1tn.
Trump also made Saudi Arabia the first foreign stop during his first term, in 2017. The rest of his trip will include stops in Qatar and the UAE.
Trump’s arrival in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday was met with a grand reception, including a lavish lavender-coloured carpet rolled out to greet him. He had even chosen a purple tie to match it.
Riyadh swapped red carpets for lavender in 2021, saying that it was a symbol of the kingdom’s desert wildflowers and generosity.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Trump on the tarmac and provided an honour guard of Arabian horses to accompany his presidential limo.
In his remarks at an investment forum, Trump lauded the US-Saudi relationship as “more powerful than ever before”.
“From the moment we started we’ve seen wealth that has poured – and is pouring – into America,” he said.
Trump is trying to woo foreign investors to the US to boost the American economy, a key focus of his administration in the nearly four months of his second term.
“I like him too much,” Trump said of Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and de-facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman. “That’s why we give so much.”
The pomp and ceremony was a drastic change from the muted reception for former US President Joe Biden, who declared Saudi Arabia a “pariah” state after the murder of a dissident journalist, before he travelled to the oil-rich kingdom to seek their help in lowering petrol prices, fist-bumping the crown prince.
Trump flew to the Gulf to strike financial deals and argued in his speech that it is through this kind of commerce and economic development that the Middle East would transcend violence and division.
Key Terms
- US-Saudi relationship
- US investment in the Middle East
- Trump’s second term foreign policy
- Saudi Arabian investments
- Middle East economic development
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