Key Points Summary: Trump arrives Riad
- Trump arrives in Riad to royal fighter jet escort
- Meets Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman with lavish welcome
- Signs multi-billion-dollar deals on business and defense
- Brings U.S. business elite including Musk and Fink
- Talks focus on oil prices, Iran, Gaza and regional peace
- Announces surprise end to Syria sanctions
- Qatar and UAE next on Trumpโs four-day Middle East trip
Donald Trump touched down in Riyadh Tuesday, and Saudi Arabia rolled out the royal runway. The 78-year-old U.S. president arrived aboard Air Force One, escorted by F-15 fighter jets, in a dramatic show of power and respect.
A Golden Welcome for Trump
Trumpโs arrival at King Khalid International Airport was met by none other than Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two exchanged smiles over traditional Arabic coffee.
โI think we like each other very much,โ Trump was heard saying.
It was a far cry from past years, when bin Salman faced international outrage over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. But that tension was nowhere in sight.
Big Money and Big Business
Deals were signed fast. Saudi Arabia committed to $600 billion in U.S. investments. Trump joked, โA trillion would be better.โ
The lunch venue? The Royal Court at Al Yamamah Palace, draped in blue and gold with massive chandeliers. A setting fit for Trumpโs taste.
Trump didnโt come alone. His entourage included business heavyweights like Blackstoneโs Stephen Schwarzman, BlackRockโs Larry Fink, and Tesla and SpaceX boss Elon Musk. Their presence signaled one thing: America means business.
Dinner and Diplomatic Drama
That evening, Trump and company headed to Ad-Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the birthplace of modern Saudi Arabia. But beyond the gold and handshakes, tough topics surfaced.
The two leaders clashed subtly over oil prices. Saudi Arabia wants to keep them high through OPEC+ controls. Trump wants them low to boost U.S. growth.
Iran, Gaza and Peace Deals
In his first regional speech, Trump zeroed in on Iranโs nuclear ambitions. He called for a โnew and better path,โ casting himself once again as a peace broker.
โAs Iโve shown, Iโm ready to end past conflicts and forge new partnerships for a more stable worldโeven if we have deep differences,โ Trump said at an investment forum.
He also vowed to push for a quick end to the Israel-Hamas war.
Shocking Syria Announcement
Then came the bombshell: Trump declared the end of U.S. sanctions against Syriaโs new Islamist regime.
The room erupted in applause. Trump grinned, โWhat I do for the crown prince!โ
Whatโs Next: Qatar and UAE
Gaza, Yemenโs Houthi rebels, and regional normalization with Israel also topped the agenda.
Trumpโs next stops? The United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as he continues his four-day Middle East blitz.
As Air Force One lifts off again, one thingโs clear: Trumpโs return to the world stage is anything but quiet.
