President Trump is set to begin his first significant foreign trip of his second term this week, with stops planned in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
While the focus is expected to be on trade and investment, it’s hard to overlook the controversy surrounding the extravagant Qatar jets that are intended for the U.S. military.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine may also be a topic of discussion as meetings are scheduled in Türkiye on Thursday.
Here are five key points to consider.
Qatar Airplane Dispute
Trump’s visit to Qatar comes shortly after news broke that the Qatari government has gifted a luxurious Boeing 747 to the U.S. for military use.
On Monday, Trump defended accepting the plane, labeling it “silly” to turn down such a generous gift. He indicated that he would visit the Department of Defense and his presidential library prior to leaving on his trip.
When challenged about critics who claim this could be viewed as a personal gift, he stated, “They are giving us free jets.”
Trump continued, “I could say, ‘No, please don’t give us that. I’d rather pay you a billion dollars,’ or simply say ‘Thank you so much.'” He described it as a “great gesture.”
Press Secretary Caroline Levitt mentioned to Fox News that the legal details surrounding the gift are still being finalized, affirming that the donation is fully compliant with the law while emphasizing the administration’s commitment to transparency.
It’s unclear what Qatar will gain from this arrangement.
Democrats have quickly criticized the deal as inappropriate, questioning what the response would be if a Democratic president had accepted a similar gift. Some Republicans, including some of Trump’s allies, have also expressed discomfort with the situation, given Qatar’s ties to Hamas and its human rights record.
Former White House spokesman Ali Fleischer stated, “I feel that nothing is right about getting the Air Force from a foreign government. It may be legal, but I don’t do that.”
Promote Investment
Primarily, Trump’s goal in visiting the Middle East appears to be to strengthen partnerships and explore investment opportunities in the three involved nations.
Reports suggest Trump aims to return with commitments totaling around $1 trillion in investments and business deals.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman previously indicated that the kingdom would invest $600 billion in the U.S. during Trump’s second term. Trump’s first call as president was to the Crown Prince, who is attending an investment forum in Riyadh on Tuesday.
The UAE recently announced a 10-year, $1.4 trillion “investment framework” in the U.S., aimed at bolstering investments in sectors like AI, infrastructure, and manufacturing.
This trip follows Trump’s initial foreign visit to Riyadh in 2017, where he signed a $110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia. Ahead of this trip, the administration also approved a $3.5 billion missile sale to Saudi fighter jets.
A Wider Middle Eastern Policy is Looming
While there are no stops planned in Israel during this trip, Trump’s foreign policy approach concerning Gaza and Iran is likely to be a prominent aspect of discussions.
On Sunday, Trump announced that Hamas intends to release Edan Alexander, the only remaining U.S. hostage in Gaza, potentially opening doors for new peace talks aimed at a long-term ceasefire.
Despite proposing some controversial ideas, Trump has sought to position himself as a mediator in the region. He suggested that he might consider lifting sanctions on Syria as he addresses the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad’s government.
Additionally, Trump mentioned that discussions about reviving some form of a nuclear deal with Iran were ongoing, emphasizing the need to prevent further conflict in the area.
He expressed optimism, saying, “We want Iran to be wealthy, but they can’t have nuclear weapons. That’s straightforward.”
Trade Consultation
As he visits the Middle East, Trump is reportedly consulting with trading partners to address the issue of mutual tariffs, especially as a 90-day deadline approaches in July.
Before departing Washington, it was announced that an agreement had been reached with China to lower tariffs on both sides. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among the first foreign leaders to meet with Trump following this announcement.
Despite imposing 10% tariffs on both the UAE and Saudi Arabia, this remains modest compared to those on Asian partners, while U.S. exports to the UAE have surged to $27 billion.
A recent trade agreement with the UK has also expanded market access for U.S. exports, reflecting a surplus in trade with both the UAE and Saudi Arabia in the previous year.
Conflict with Family-owned Ventures
Trump has business interests in the Middle East, raising questions about how this could intersect with his trip.
His son, Eric Trump, is involved in several ventures, including a newly signed contract for a golf course in the region. Additionally, a major investment involving the Trump family’s cryptocurrency was recently announced by a UAE-based firm.
When asked whether Trump would meet associates related to his family’s business during the trip, Levitt dismissed the notion, calling it “ridiculous” to imply any personal gain from the presidency.
The high-profile jet from Qatar also sparks skepticism about whether the president is benefiting personally while in office. Representative Jamie Raskin referred to such gifts as “glyfts.” Qatar officials have stated that Trump will not receive a plane during this trip.
