Egypt Daily News – U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Tuesday in his first international trip since beginning his second term. His Gulf tour will also include visits to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed him at King Khalid International Airport.
Key Developments of the Visit:
- A royal purple carpet was rolled out for the official reception at the Royal Terminal. Trump and the Crown Prince shared coffee upon his arrival.
- The atmosphere in Riyadh reflected the official nature of the visit, with American and Saudi flags lining the streets from the airport to the city center.
- Saudi F-15 fighter jets escorted Air Force One as it approached Riyadh, as confirmed by a social media post from Dan Scavino, Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff, and accompanying media reports.
Tuesday’s Schedule:
Later in the day, Trump is set to:
- Attend an official welcoming ceremony and introductions with delegations.
- Participate in a business luncheon with top executives.
- Hold bilateral meetings and sign an agreement at the Royal Court.
- Deliver a speech at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum.
- Tour Diriyah and At-Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Dine with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Background and Significance:
This visit, which will last until May 16, marks Trump’s first international trip during his second term. Although he previously made a brief visit to Rome to attend Pope Francis’s funeral, the White House described this Gulf trip as a “historic return” to the region.
Notably, Trump also chose Saudi Arabia as the destination for his first international visit during his first term eight years ago, where he was famously photographed with a glowing orb and participated in a traditional sword dance.
Strategic Goals:
Trump’s visit aims to:
- Strengthen ties with Gulf nations.
- Explore new commercial deals amid ongoing regional tensions.
- Acknowledge the growing geopolitical and economic role of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
In a press conference before his departure, Trump called the trip a “historic visit.” The Saudi Cabinet, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, welcomed Trump’s visit and expressed hopes it would enhance the strategic partnership between the two nations.
U.S. Delegation:
Trump was accompanied by a large delegation, including:
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
- Likely to be joined by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick
Other top White House staff, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and several deputy chiefs, were also part of the delegation, according to CNN.
U.S.-Saudi Business Forum:
The U.S.-Saudi Business Forum being held on the same day brought together major American CEOs such as:
- Elon Musk (Tesla)
- Andy Jassy (Amazon)
- Executives from BlackRock, Citigroup, IBM, Boeing, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, and others.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated the president was looking forward to this “historic return to the Middle East.”
Broader Context:
U.S. State Department regional spokesperson Samuel Werberg emphasized America’s appreciation for Saudi initiatives in supporting political solutions to conflicts and its efforts in stabilizing global energy markets.
Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan, in remarks at the U.S.-Saudi Business Forum, highlighted the growing strength of bilateral relations.
Trump’s repeat choice of Saudi Arabia as a first stop underscores the strategic importance of the Gulf nations and their evolving role in regional stability, energy security, and international commerce
