Donald Trump is planning to begin a three-day swing through the Gulf region. This is his first state visit since returning to office in January. The weeklong visit, starting Tuesday, will take the president to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. Trump’s agenda should be centered on creating new economic partnerships, obtaining major private sector investments, and influencing major diplomatic concerns that affect the entire region.
On this trip, Trump promises to lock in a $1 trillion Saudi investment into U.S. infrastructure and other industries. This ambitious new goal builds on a prior commitment from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). To date, President Biden has proposed a historic $600 billion. Given the likely agenda, Trump would be taking an extremely important step strengthening economic ties with Gulf nations. At the same time, he is playing a surprisingly adept game of global chess.
Economic Partnerships at the Forefront
These topics will dominate Trump’s talks in Saudi Arabia, especially since he will be participating in a Saudi-US investment forum. He is due to meet MBS to discuss new investment possibilities and strengthen bilateral relations.
Perhaps none have teased better than Trump’s Middle East peace envoy, Steve Witkoff. He plans to extend the Abraham Accords to Saudi Arabia. That would reconfigure the diplomatic map in the region, opening new possibilities for deeper cooperation among Arab nations and Israel.
In the background, the UAE has announced a mind-boggling $1.4 trillion investment plan. This initiative, paired with the ongoing Saudi investments, will directly compete against various sectors within the U.S. over the next 10 years. In part, this effort is a testament to the increasing economic connectedness of the Gulf states and the U.S.
“Nothing good can come out of a visit to Israel at the moment” – US official.
Diplomatic Engagements and Regional Security
Trump’s scheduled itinerary, including a meeting with the major leaders in every country. During his next stop in Qatar, he’ll speak with that nation’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Together, they’ll advance U.S.-Iran military cooperation and address emerging regional security challenges. The agenda of this meeting—inclusive democracy—could hardly be more timely, given that tensions have increased in the region, given the war currently raging in Gaza.
The decision by the President to leave Israel off his itinerary during this visit is indicative of the geopolitical climate today. Intensified military actions sought out in particular IDPs, after the truce collapsed on March 18. Accordingly, debates over Israel’s role in maintaining regional stability have turned sharply politicized.
“At the moment, Israel is at odds with [Trump’s] overall goal, promising continuous fire” – Ori Goldberg.
In Saudi Arabia, the President will meet with MBS. Accompanying him will be a U.S. delegation to a Gulf summit meant to encourage more cooperation between the six Gulf states. His panel debates will focus on these issues, addressing them directly and honestly. Specifically, they’ll discuss a possible peace agreement for Gaza and the Saudi-Israeli normalization talks that have gone quiet.
A Strategic Approach to Investment and Cooperation
Trump rounds out his tour on Thursday in the UAE. He’ll need to invest in industries that are rapidly emerging such as AI, semiconductors, energy, and advanced manufacturing. Trump is expected to hold talks with new Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Jointly, they will identify how both nations can benefit from advances in technology and sustainable energy initiatives.
Saudi Arabia is anticipated to announce more than $100 billion in arms purchases from the U.S., including missiles, radar systems, and transport aircraft. This military cooperation serves to underscore the growing strategic partnership between the two countries.
Beyond the Washington cost Trump’s visit represents a new attempt to build relationships with Gulf states and deal with the thorny regional triple challenge. His administration aims to ensure that economic partnerships lead to diplomatic progress on critical issues affecting stability in the Middle East.
