President Donald Trump’s arrival in Saudi Arabia on May 13, 2025, marked the beginning of a carefully planned visit to the Middle East during his second term in office. His visit to the region, starting with Riyadh, is being viewed as one of the most important diplomatic efforts of the new administration. It was not just a political gesture but a calculated trip aimed at discussing foreign policy, boosting investment, and reviving American influence in the region.
With multiple high-stakes meetings scheduled and significant announcements already made, this trip is shaping the direction of Trump’s renewed foreign policy approach. The visit has been planned to include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates over four days. Riyadh, as the first stop, carried the most weight in both symbolism and action.
Trump’s arrival in Riyadh was met with a level of hospitality and ceremony rarely seen in international diplomacy. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally welcomed the U.S. President at the airport, signalling the importance Saudi Arabia places on its relationship with the United States under Trump. It was a clear contrast to how the Kingdom received former President Joe Biden in 2022, when interactions were notably more reserved.
From the fighter jet escort provided by the Royal Saudi Air Force to the opulent receptions at royal palaces, every detail of the visit was meant to underline a renewed bond. The warm welcome extended to Trump also served the Crown Prince’s strategic interests, reinforcing ties with a U.S. leader who has been publicly supportive of Saudi Arabia’s political and economic ambitions.
The key focus of the trip, according to statements from the White House, was to build on Trump’s earlier foreign policy moves and revive projects left incomplete at the end of his first term. A top priority remains preventing Iran from advancing its nuclear program.
In private talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump reportedly pushed for a joint effort to isolate Iran diplomatically and economically unless Tehran agrees to a new nuclear deal. The administration has made it clear that it prefers diplomacy, but has also threatened to impose harsher sanctions and economic restrictions if Iran refuses to cooperate. Trump described the situation as a “final opportunity” for Iran to show willingness to work with the international community.
Alongside efforts to address the Iran issue, Trump used the visit to push for an expansion of the Abraham Accords. These accords, signed during his first term, normalised relations between Israel and several Arab countries. Trump has expressed a desire to bring Saudi Arabia into the agreement.
While the Kingdom has historically tied normalisation with Israel to the establishment of a Palestinian state, recent shifts in regional politics have opened the door to discussions. Trump raised the idea that Saudi Arabia could recognise Israel in its own time, based on its internal priorities. He also said that peace and prosperity in Gaza would only come if Hamas were removed from power.
Trump’s trip also focused on Syria. In a surprise announcement, he revealed that the United States would lift sanctions on Syria and restore diplomatic ties with the new Syrian government led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former insurgent who overthrew Bashar al-Assad in late 2024. Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, have already shown support for al-Sharaa, seeing his government as a possible counterbalance to Iran’s presence in Syria. Trump said the decision was shaped by calls from regional leaders and was made in the interest of long-term stability. He framed the move as a recognition of Syria’s efforts to move past conflict and join the rest of the region in working toward peace and development.
The Saudi leg of the trip was not limited to diplomacy alone. Trump also attended a major investment summit in Riyadh that drew some of the most influential names from American business. Executives such as Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, Citigroup’s Jane Fraser, BlackRock’s Larry Fink, and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk were present. The event was arranged in coordination with the Saudi government and featured high-level discussions about future U.S.-Saudi economic cooperation. These talks included areas such as real estate, artificial intelligence, energy development, and infrastructure projects.
The Trump Organisation, run by his two eldest sons, is developing major real estate projects in the region, including a tower in Jeddah and a hotel in Dubai. Trump teased the possibility of more deals on the way, with the Saudi Crown Prince committing up to $600 billion in new investments into the U.S. economy over the next four years. Trump even suggested that a $1 trillion investment would be ideal.
A recurring theme throughout the visit was Trump’s rejection of what he described as failed strategies of the past. In his speech at the investment forum, he criticised American policies that tried to impose democratic systems or rebuild nations by force. He referred to them as actions that misunderstood the complexities of local societies. He said the U.S. had spent two decades trying to reshape countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, only to leave them worse off. He stated that his focus, both during his first term and now, is on building strong partnerships that respect each country’s independence while pursuing common interests.
Trump also used the opportunity to send a message to domestic and international audiences that his administration seeks to maintain a balanced approach. He showed he was open to dialogue with rivals, as seen in his offer to Iran for a new deal, while making it clear that his government would not hesitate to act against those who pose a threat to American interests. His remarks on Gaza, Syria, and Iran were part of a broader message that the U.S. wants to see stability, but not at the cost of being seen as weak. Trump also said he hoped the people of Gaza could have a peaceful and productive future if they were no longer under Hamas control.
There were several symbolic moments that defined the Saudi leg of the trip. One of them was the formal state dinner at Ad-Diriyah, a UNESCO heritage site considered the birthplace of the first Saudi state. This site has been central to Saudi Arabia’s ongoing cultural and tourism push and is personally backed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump’s presence there was meant to highlight the strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties between the two countries. He was also hosted at the Royal Court at Al Yamamah Palace, where he participated in official meetings and ceremonial events, further deepening the impression that the Saudi government views Trump as a preferred partner in Washington.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth accompanied Trump during this visit. Both were seen engaging in side meetings with their Saudi counterparts, covering military, security, and diplomatic matters. According to the State Department, one of the objectives was to increase cooperation in regional security and counterterrorism. Trump is also expected to meet U.S. troops stationed at the airbase in Qatar during the next leg of his trip.
Another unusual detail from the visit was the news that Qatar’s royal family plans to donate a presidential aircraft for Trump’s use, which will later be part of his presidential library. While such gifts are rare, they reflect the close relationship Trump has with leaders in the Gulf.
Trump’s stop in Riyadh was carefully planned by both American and Saudi officials. It was an attempt to reset the diplomatic narrative and revive past agreements that had either stalled or been undone during the Biden administration. In many ways, this visit mirrors Trump’s first official foreign trip in 2017, which also began in Saudi Arabia. At the time, it broke with U.S. tradition, where presidents usually visited close Western allies first. Trump’s return to Riyadh underlines the importance his administration places on the region and his desire to strengthen ties further.
