Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – President Trump took a moment to celebrate at the White House on Monday before embarking on a three-country tour of the Middle East.
He stated that he averted a potential nuclear conflict on the Indian subcontinent, initiated peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, achieved a trade breakthrough with China, and secured the release of the last American hostage held by Hamas.
“Now I’m going to leave with a historic visit,” Trump mentioned to reporters regarding his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
The weekend kicked off early on Saturday, with Trump announcing that the U.S. would assist in negotiating a ceasefire following a violent four-day attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir that resulted in 26 casualties.
“We’ve managed to prevent a nuclear conflict,” he told reporters while signing an executive order aimed at reducing drug prices in the U.S. “It could have escalated to a nuclear disaster. Millions could have died, so I’m really proud of that.”
On the same day, the Trump administration engaged in its first trade discussions with China in Switzerland, where they agreed to significantly reduce tariff rates as a step toward a permanent agreement.
Trump claimed that China agreed to foundational trade reforms, although he acknowledged that formalizing these changes may take some time.
“They’ve committed to opening up China fully,” he argued. “Turning agreements into formal documents will take a bit, but I believe it’ll benefit both countries. I think it’s a step toward unity and peace.”
He also noted that Beijing “has agreed to stop the flow of fentanyl, which has claimed nearly 300,000 American lives in the last four years.”
Trump emphasized progress between Russia and Ukraine, revealing that Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky expressed willingness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Türkiye. However, it’s still uncertain whether Putin will attend.
He mentioned possibly adapting his itinerary to include this meeting, saying, “I think good things can come from it… They’re experiencing human suffering on a scale unseen since World War II.”
If he thinks it’s beneficial, Trump suggested he might fly there, even while in the Middle East.
Currently, he’s scheduled to depart from Qatar and may present the UAE with a $400 million luxury plane as a gesture.
Trump also highlighted the release of Edan Alexander, the last American held by Hamas, crediting his envoy, Steve Witkoff, for the successful negotiation. “Most thought he wouldn’t make it out alive, but he’ll be released soon,” Trump said.
This trip marks his first major overseas journey during his second term, reminiscent of his inaugural trip in 2017, which included various stops including Saudi Arabia, Israel, and other countries.
He plans to kick off the visit in Riyadh, attending an investment meeting on Tuesday and meeting with Gulf leaders the following day.
