The President of the United States Donald Trump has landed in Riyad Tuesday (13) for his first trip to the Middle East since he returned to power. In addition to Saudi Arabia, the Republican leader will also pass through Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
The President of the United States Donald Trump has landed in Riyad Tuesday (13) for his first trip to the Middle East since he returned to power. In addition to Saudi Arabia, the Republican leader will also pass through Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Giovanna Martins Fial, RFI correspondent in Beirut
Trump was welcomed with pomp in Riyad, with his plane escorted by the F-15 combat combat fighters before landing. The heir Prince Mohamed Bin Salman made a point of personally welcoming the Republican leader when he landed at King Khalid international airport.
Accompanied by powerful corporate leaders, including his consultant Elon Musk, the President of the United States begins the four -day turnover for the Middle East on the same day of opening of an investment forum between Washington and Riyadh.
“Although the energy remains a milestone of our relationship, the investments and commercial opportunities in the kingdom have developed and multiplied,” said Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid at Falih, before the arrival of Trump in the Saudi capital.
Strategic interests
The choice of the countries visited by Trump is linked to the strategic interests of the United States in the region, in particular to the economic agreements and the advanced diplomatic of issues such as the ceasefire in the Gaza strip and the normalization of the relationships between Saudi and Israel Arabia.
Just before the start of the trip, Washington approved the sale of $ 1.4 billion of weapons and military equipment to the United Arab Emirates. Qatar hosts a large American military base and acts as a central mediator in negotiations with the Hamas group in the Gaza strip.
In Saudi Arabia, Trump hopes to guarantee investments from 1 trillion of dollars from the heir of Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in the American industry, as well as to close over $ 100 billion of weapons.
At the same time, the Republican leader wants to increase diplomacy between the Arab countries again, taking up the idea of ​​Abraham agreements, signed in his first term between United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Israel.
However, Trump’s involvement with these countries exceeds national interests. Last month, the second child of the Republican leader, Eric, signed an agreement to develop a $ 5.5 billion golf club in Qatar. The Trump organization has at least three ongoing projects in Saudi Arabia, including residential companies and a golf course.
The war in Gaza is the background
Although Israel is not on the agenda of the current journey of Donald Trump in the Middle East, the involvement of the United States in the war between Israel and the Hamas group steals the scene. Monday (12), Hamas released the Israeli-American Edan Alexander, who served Israel’s army and was held hostage in the Gaza strip by the attacks of 7 October 2023.
The liberation was described by Trump as a “good faith” of the Palestinian group against the United States and the efforts of the mediators – Qatar and Egypt – to end the war. “I hope this is the first of the final passages to put an end to this brutal conflict,” he published on the social network X.
However, the current Trump administration maintains a firm alignment with Israel. In March 2025, the United States government approved 4 billion dollars of armaments in the country, circumventing the congress. The alliance is also manifested on ideological fronts: in February, Trump published a video generated by artificial intelligence that simulates a luxury resort in the Gaza strip. In one of the scenes, the president appears next to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, both without a shirt, toasting on the edge of a swimming pool.
Trump’s plan to make Gaza a resort raised strong indignation in the Arab countries. At that time, more than 55,000 deaths had been recorded since the beginning of the Israeli offensive in the Palestinian Encycase.
American ideological alignment Israel is also reflected in the domestic sphere. In March, the United States arrested the Syrian of Palestinian origin Mahmoud Khalil, an activist for the legal residence in the country, within the Columbia University campus.
Truégue with Huthis rebels
Last week Trump Administration signed an agreement of ceased fire with the rebels of Huthis, who control part of Yemen. The armed group supported by Iran controls the Israeli offensive in the Gaza strip with frequent attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and bullets that affect the Israeli territory. In recent weeks, the United States have bombed Huthis’ positions, avenged the attacks against Israel and spending about $ 1.5 billion in these operations.
With the agreement of ceased the fire, the Huthis agreed to suspend the attacks with missiles and drones against the ships that cross the Red Sea. The commitment, closed without the participation of Israel, seems to demonstrate that the United States are giving priority to their economic and maritime security interests, although negotiated directly with a group classified as a terrorist by Trump.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
