Trump Arrives in Saudi Arabia to Begin High-Stakes Middle East Tour

Former U.S. President Donald Trump landed in Riyadh on May 13 to begin a four-day tour of the Persian Gulf, with scheduled stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The visit marks Trump’s return to the region and the second time he has selected Saudi Arabia as the first foreign destination of a presidential term—just as he did in 2017.

Trump was warmly received at King Khalid International Airport by Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. The arrival ceremony featured a royal purple carpet, traditional Saudi coffee service, and a military escort for Air Force One by Saudi F-15 fighter jets. Streets in the capital were adorned with U.S. and Saudi flags.

The visit centers on business, energy, and defense cooperation. Trump is expected to pursue investment deals valued at over $1 trillion, targeting sectors such as artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, and arms sales—though analysts say the trillion-dollar target may be more aspirational than achievable.

A highlight of the visit is a major investment forum and a series of bilateral meetings with Saudi officials. Trump will also attend a private dinner with the crown prince.

One of the most closely watched developments is a potential U.S.-Saudi civil nuclear agreement. In a major policy shift, the Trump administration is no longer tying the deal to Saudi recognition of Israel—breaking from the Biden-era approach that linked nuclear cooperation to progress in Arab-Israeli normalization.

Trump confirmed that Israel is not on his itinerary, despite speculation he might stop in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. “We will be doing it at some point. But not for this trip,” he said last week.

The omission has reportedly unsettled Israeli officials, who see it as a sign of shifting U.S. priorities and increased tension between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—especially amid disagreements over the Gaza conflict, Iran, and regional strategy.