US President Donald Trump has announced that his first foreign trip since returning to the White House will likely include visits to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
Speaking from the Oval Office, he suggested the trip could take place as early as May, with potential stops in other countries.
The visit aims to strengthen economic partnerships, particularly with Saudi Arabia, where White House officials are planning high-level meetings. Trump previously made Riyadh his first foreign stop in 2017, and this time, the focus remains on trade and investment rather than diplomatic negotiations. Unlike his previous trip, Israel is not currently on the agenda.
Trump highlighted the scale of Saudi investments in the US, noting that trade deals between the two nations have surged to nearly a trillion dollars. He pointed to a recent $600 billion pledge from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, emphasizing the benefits for American industries. He also suggested that US companies would play a key role in supplying equipment to the Gulf region.
While Saudi Arabia has been involved in secret talks to mediate the Ukraine war, Trump did not indicate whether he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit. However, he expressed optimism that Putin would eventually support a ceasefire.
As Trump prepares for his first overseas tour of his second term, the trip signals a renewed focus on economic ties with Gulf nations, reinforcing longstanding trade relationships.