US President Donald Trump began a four-day visit to the Middle East on Tuesday, commencing his trip in Saudi Arabia. The focus of his visit revolves around establishing economic partnerships with the kingdom, a vital ally in the region, while underlying issues such as Iran’s nuclear aspirations and the ongoing conflict in Gaza linger in the background.
Upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport, Trump was warmly welcomed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia. The initial formalities included traditional Arabic coffee served in an impressive hall adorned with ornate decorations. Notably, Saudi Air Force F-15s escorted Air Force One as it approached Riyadh, highlighting the ceremonial nature of Trump’s arrivals.
The president and the crown prince engaged in discussions during a lunch at the Royal Court, where they mingled with prominent figures from the business world, including executives from Blackstone, BlackRock, and Tesla. This friendly interaction contrastingly reflected Prince Mohammed’s previous awkward encounter with President Joe Biden, illustrating a warmer reception for Trump.
Following the lunch, the crown prince planned to host Trump for a formal dinner, with both leaders also attending a US-Saudi investment conference that would further explore collaborations.
The backdrop of this visit includes significant economic considerations for both nations. With Saudi Arabia’s economy largely reliant on oil, and facing a budgetary break-even price of $96-98 per barrel, Trump is keen to boost oil production to support his domestic agenda aimed at combating inflation and lowering fuel costs for Americans. However, the sustainability of such production levels from OPEC+ remains uncertain, especially with Brent crude prices recently closing at $64.77 per barrel.
Additionally, Trump’s business interests in the region, aided by his sons in the Trump Organisation, have shaped his journey. This includes real estate developments in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, where he hopes to announce deals focusing on artificial intelligence, energy cooperation, and further arms sales to the Saudis.
As tension looms over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Trump has increasingly distanced himself from Israel during this trip, sparking discussions on the potential for normalising relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Yet, Riyadh has indicated that any such progress hinges on US commitments concerning security guarantees and Palestinian statehood initiatives.
Overall, while aiming to reinforce business ties and encourage Saudi support in regional matters, Trump’s current Middle East trip illustrates the complexities of international diplomacy amidst ongoing conflicts and diverging national priorities.