Payam Javan: President Donald Trump arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, marking the start of his first major overseas trip in his second term. Welcomed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE from May 13 to 16 underscores the strategic importance of Gulf alliances. The trip follows significant global developments, including a U.S.-China tariff reduction deal that boosted markets and the release of Edan Alexander, the last known American hostage in Gaza. Accompanied by top officials like Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and senior aides, Trump aims to secure major investment and defense deals while addressing regional tensions, such as the Israel-Hamas conflict and Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

In Riyadh, Trump will attend the Saudi–U.S. Investment Forum and a Gulf Cooperation Council summit, with Saudi Arabia pledging $600 billion and the UAE committing $1.4 trillion to U.S. sectors like AI and defense. A proposed $100 billion arms package for Saudi Arabia and Qatar’s donation of a luxury plane for Air Force One highlight the trip’s economic focus. Trump’s itinerary may shift to include a potential stop in Turkey for Ukraine peace talks, and he has signaled openness to lifting Syria sanctions to support regional stability. The president also expressed hope for the release of additional hostages held by Hamas during his visit.