President Donald Trump Arrives in Saudi Arabia on First State Visit of Second Term at the Invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
U.S. President Donald Trump has arrived in Saudi Arabia on what marks the first state visit of his second presidential term and the first leg of his broader Middle East tour. In addition to Saudi Arabia, Trump is scheduled to visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Upon arrival at the Riyadh airport, Trump was welcomed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). Typically, foreign leaders are received by a provincial governor, but MBS’s personal presence signals the importance of this visit.
The White House has described the trip as a “historic return” aimed at strengthening the United States' relations with the Middle East. During this visit, Trump is seeking $1 trillion in investments from Saudi Arabia, surpassing the previously pledged amount of $600 billion.
Focus on Diplomacy and Regional Issues
Trump is hoping to make progress on a ceasefire in Gaza and on normalization talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Israel is currently escalating its military operations in Gaza, where a blockade on food, medicine, and other essential supplies is worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, Iran—Israel’s enemy and Saudi Arabia’s regional rival—is reportedly on the verge of developing nuclear weapons.
Hospitality and Business Ties
In Saudi Arabia, Trump was served traditional Arabic coffee and received royal-level hospitality. The Trump Organization has ongoing real estate projects in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. These include a high-rise tower in Jeddah, a luxury hotel in Dubai, and a golf course and villa complex in Qatar.
During the trip, Trump is expected to announce cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI), energy partnerships, and potentially a new arms deal. Earlier this month, the U.S. granted preliminary approval for a $3.5 billion sale of air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia.
Comment from the Saudi Investment Minister
Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih said, “When Saudis and Americans work together, good things happen — and most of the time, they’re extraordinary.” He added that the two nations share “unshakable trust and partnership” that has stood the test of time.
Contrast with Previous U.S. Presidents
Notably, President Joe Biden was received by a provincial governor during his 2022 visit to Saudi Arabia, and his fist bump with MBS sparked global controversy. During his presidential campaign, Biden had referred to MBS as a “pariah” over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
