WASHINGTON – During his trip to the Middle East next week, President Trump plans to prioritize attracting US investment from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, according to White House spokesperson Susie Wills.
“The ties are well established,” Wills remarked about Trump’s long-standing relationships with the leaders of these nations.
“It’s mostly centered on business and investments in the US from these countries,” she continued in an April 29 interview. “It’s a significant commitment, and they carry great importance.”
Alongside investment discussions, the president may also address other foreign policy issues, like the Houthis in Yemen, which borders Saudi Arabia.
Middle Eastern Magazine
Saudi Arabia was the first country Trump visited after taking office in May 2017, and it’s set to be his first stop again before heading to Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican.
For the first time, Trump has arranged for Saudi Arabia to purchase $350 billion in US weapons over the next decade, in addition to an immediate agreement of $110 billion. This year’s pledge from Saudi Arabia for defense spending has nearly doubled.
The discussions about oil are also part of Trump’s broader talks with Saudi leaders, Wills noted.
“President Trump takes pride in the cooperation between the US and Middle Eastern nations and will return to emphasize his vision for a prosperous Middle East, where extremism has been replaced with economic and cultural exchanges,” the White House press chief stated during her routine briefing on Friday.
“This trip underscores how we are on the verge of a golden age for both the US and the Middle East, united by a shared vision of stability and mutual respect.”
Trump maintains close ties with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), with the two having discussed visions for stability and security in the region during a January call.
The Saudi leader has also committed to finding $600 billion for investment in the United States.
The oil-rich Gulf states possess some of the largest sovereign wealth funds globally, presenting a considerable opportunity for investment.
Business leaders will gather at the US investment summit in Riyadh on May 13, according to reports.
Notable attendees include Tesla’s Elon Musk, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, BlackRock’s Larry Fink, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Citigroup’s Jane Fraser, and Boeing’s Kelly Ortberg.
“This high-level forum will showcase trusted US investment partners who are significantly contributing to the Kingdom’s transformation journey. It also provides unique opportunities to strengthen ties and explore new investment avenues,” Wills noted.
On May 14, MBS will host a Gulf National Leadership Summit, where Trump will have a chance to present American economic cooperation proposals to top officials, as previously reported.
The summit aims to bring together leaders from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar.
Afterward, Trump will travel to Qatar — where he will visit the US military base — followed by meetings in the United Arab Emirates.
As his first foreign trip of the term approaches, Trump hinted at significant news related to the Middle East, promising “a very big announcement” but not disclosing details.
He mentioned that there might be news about a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza in the “next 24 hours” and suggested renaming the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Gulf before he departs on Monday.
Trump’s Personal Relationships
This visit follows a series of notable business dealings involving local partners and Trump’s family enterprises.
Last year, the Trump Organization announced plans for two Trump Towers in Saudi Arabia — one in Riyadh and another in Jeddah, the second-largest city near the Red Sea.
Plans have also been revealed to create a luxurious Trump golf club in Qatar, situated about an hour from Dubai’s Trump Hotel and the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi.
In addition to these billion-dollar projects, an Emirati fund has pledged $2 billion to invest in Trump family’s cryptocurrency initiative.
“I think it’s frankly ridiculous that people in this room imply that President Trump is acting out of self-interest,” Levitt remarked on Friday regarding family investments.
The spokesperson expressed uncertainty about any meetings regarding his family ventures.
“He left a life of luxury and successful real estate to serve the public, not just once but twice. This is a president who, frankly, lost money because he’s in office,” Levitt emphasized.
Levitt reprimanded reporters, stating, “I’m not here to answer questions my predecessor has faced regarding a professional politician who’s clearly been dismissed from his role.”
Meanwhile, congressional Republicans investigating Biden’s actions argued that unlike Democratic family businesses, Trump’s ventures offer tangible products, such as brick-and-mortar locations serving consumers.
“What President Trump is doing is different. This administration holds itself to the highest ethical standards,” Levitt asserted.
