President Trump To Visit The Middle East
President Donald Trump is gearing up for another high-stakes foreign policy play — and this time, he's heading straight into the economic and geopolitical heart of the Middle East. From May 13 to May 16, Trump will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates in what the White House is billing as a "strengthening of strategic ties" and a reaffirmation of America's role in shaping the region's economic future.
This marks the second foreign trip of Trump’s current term, coming on the heels of his decision to attend Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome — a surprise visit that shifted his original travel itinerary. But make no mistake: the Gulf tour is no detour. It’s a direct signal of intent.
The cornerstone of this visit? Money. Lots of it.
In March, Trump announced a landmark agreement with Saudi Arabia, claiming the kingdom will invest $1 trillion into the U.S. economy over the next four years. "I said I’ll go if you pay $1 trillion to American companies,” Trump told reporters, “and they’ve agreed to do that.” The investment package, while broad in its outline, is expected to bolster sectors like defense, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing.
Not to be outdone, the United Arab Emirates committed an eye-watering $1.4 trillion over the next decade, with a clear focus on AI infrastructure, semiconductors, energy, and American manufacturing. The White House hailed the agreement as a “transformative framework” that would further deepen bilateral economic ties in emerging technologies and critical industries.
@KingSalman and @POTUS inaugurate The Global Center for Combatting Extremist Ideology in Riyadh. #RiyadhSummit pic.twitter.com/do6cFL7wBW
— Saudi Embassy USA (@SaudiEmbassyUSA) May 21, 2017
Together, these pledges reflect a recalibration of U.S. economic diplomacy in the region — one that prioritizes strategic investment and industry development over aid packages or conventional defense partnerships.
Trump’s Gulf diplomacy is also shaped by his legacy. His 2017 visit to Saudi Arabia, which featured that now-famous image of him with King Salman and Egyptian President el-Sisi touching a glowing orb, laid the groundwork for what became the Abraham Accords — a seismic diplomatic achievement that normalized relations between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain.
Now, with ongoing conflict in Israel and the broader region, Trump’s second-term team hopes to revive the momentum of those accords. While talk of bringing Saudi Arabia into the fold has cooled due to the conflict, Trump’s visit may serve as a litmus test for future possibilities — especially with his trademark blend of personal diplomacy and high-dollar dealmaking.