In brief
The trip includes meetings with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and targets lucrative deals exceeding $1 trillion.
President Trump has embarked on a four-day tour of the Gulf states, with Saudi Arabia being his first stop. The president landed in Riyadh on Tuesday morning, marking his first overseas trip of his second term. Awaiting him at the Royal Terminal of King Khalid International Airport was Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, along with an honor guard, showcasing the strong ties between Trump and the kingdom.Trump was accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth among others. The meeting between Trump and the Crown Prince illustrated the favor Trump holds in Saudi Arabia, especially compared to President Biden's less cordial reception in 2022.During his flight to Saudi Arabia, Air Force One was notably escorted by Saudi F-15 fighter jets, providing a dramatic entrance for the U.S. leader. Following Saudi Arabia, Trump’s tour will also take him to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, where he aims to secure business deals worth over $1 trillion.
