Trump arrives in Saudi Arabia, focusing on mega economic agreements

The President of the United States, Donald Trump arrived on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia at the beginning of a four -day visit to the rich Gulf region, focusing more on economic agreements and regional security issues.

These include the war in Gaza for interviews on the Iranian nuclear program.

With a Who’s Who of powerful American company leaders, Trump is visiting Riyadh, a site of a Saudi investment forum, before going to Qatar Wednesday and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.

He did not plan a stop in Israel, a decision that raised questions about where the ally is located near the Washington priorities.

“While the energy remains a milestone of our relationship, the investments and commercial opportunities in the kingdom have expanded and multiplied many times, many times,” said Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid al-Falih while opening the forum.

“Consequently, when Saudi and American unite the strength, very good things happen. Most of the time great things happen when those joint ventures occur,” he said before Trump’s arrival.

Trump hopes to guarantee trillions of dollars of investments from the Gulf oil producers.

Saudi Arabia had promised 600 billion dollars, but Trump said he wants 1 trillion of dollars from the kingdom, one of the most important allies of Washington.

The Saudi investment forum began with a video showing eagles and hawks that celebrated the long story between the United States and the Kingdom.

The visit brought many dignitaries, including Fink, CEO of Blackrock, Stephen A. Schwartzman, CEO of Blackstone, secretary of the Treasury Scott Beesent and Minister of Finance Saudi Mohammed al Jadaan and Falih.

Speaking in a forum panel, while Trump landed in Riyadh, Fink said he had traveled to Saudi Arabia over 65 times in 20 years.

While the kingdom had been a follower when he started visiting, he was now “taking control” and expanding his economy from his oil base, he said.

After landing, Trump gave a handful to the air when he saw the hereditary prince Mohammed Bin Salman, also known as MBS, before tightening his hand to the de facto leader.

MBS focused on the diversification of the kingdom economy in an important reform program nicknamed Vision 2030 which includes “Projetti Giga” as Neom, a futuristic city of the size of Belgium.

The kingdom had to reduce some of its high ambitions while the increasing costs and the drop in oil prices weigh.

Participating in Trump for lunch with MBS are the best US businessmen including billionaire Elon Musk, Tesla and Capo Spacex and the CEO of Openai Sam Altman.