Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – May 13, 2025
US President Donald Trump arrived in Riyadh today, kicking off an ambitious four-day diplomatic mission across the Persian Gulf region that will later include stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Royal Welcome in Saudi Capital
The presidential aircraft, Air Force One, touched down in the Saudi capital early Tuesday morning local time, escorted by Saudi F-15 fighter jets in a display of allied military cooperation. Upon landing, President Trump received a ceremonial welcome featuring a royal purple carpet and traditional coffee ceremony, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) personally greeting the American leader.
“This visit represents our continued commitment to strengthening the historic US-Saudi partnership,” said President Trump shortly after landing.
Riyadh’s streets have been adorned with Saudi and US flags in anticipation of the high-profile visit, marking the second time Trump has selected the kingdom as his first foreign destination of a presidential term—mirroring his choice from 2017.
Economic Focus: Targeting Trillion-Dollar Agreements
According to White House officials, the presidential agenda centers on securing substantial business agreements with a particular emphasis on investments in:
- Artificial intelligence
- Energy partnerships
- Major defense contracts
“The President aims to finalize agreements potentially exceeding $1 trillion during this regional tour,” White House Press Secretary told reporters, though many economic analysts note such a figure would be unprecedented in scope.
Later today, President Trump is scheduled to address a US-Saudi investment forum where tech entrepreneur Elon Musk is also listed among the speakers.
Abraham Accords Expansion on the Agenda
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, expressed optimism about expanding the Abraham Accords during the presidential tour.
“We believe the administration will have some or perhaps many announcements very shortly regarding the expansion of the Abraham Accords,” Witkoff stated. “The timing for this diplomatic initiative couldn’t be better.”
Foreign policy experts suggest the administration may encourage Saudi Arabia to formally join the Abraham Accords. The kingdom has maintained informal engagement with Israel for years, including intelligence cooperation, business discussions, and airspace access permissions.
Regional Significance
Saudi Arabia’s potential normalization with Israel would represent a transformative diplomatic development. As the custodian of Islam’s holiest sites, Saudi participation would provide political and religious legitimacy for other Muslim-majority nations considering similar diplomatic moves.
“Saudi Arabia’s inclusion would fundamentally reshape the regional diplomatic landscape,” noted regional analyst Dr. Sarah Khalidi. “Their role in brokering previous normalization agreements positions them as a natural candidate to formalize relations.”
Upcoming Schedule
The President’s itinerary includes:
- Bilateral talks with Saudi leadership beginning at noon local time
- A formal dinner with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
- Travel to Qatar on Wednesday
- Final stop in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday
Several reports suggest President Trump may also meet with leaders from the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Lebanon, and other regional states during the tour.
This developing story will be updated as President Trump’s Middle East tour progresses.
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