Trump Visits Saudi Arabia Seeking Major US Investment Deals
Riyadh, May 13 – US President Donald Trump has arrived in the Saudi capital Riyadh as part of a three-day tour of the Gulf region, with a central goal of securing large-scale investments into the American economy.
The trip, which includes high-level meetings in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is designed to highlight Trump’s “America First” agenda by promoting job creation and revitalizing domestic manufacturing through foreign capital inflows.
Focus on Economic Cooperation
“President Trump wants headlines showcasing Gulf investments flowing into the US,” said Karen Young, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute. “He wants to visibly demonstrate how these investments can generate American jobs and strengthen manufacturing.”
Trump’s first stop is Riyadh, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. On May 14, he is expected to attend a Gulf leaders’ summit before heading to Qatar and later concluding his visit in the UAE on May 15.
This trip was originally intended to be Trump’s first international visit of his second term, though it was delayed due to Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome.
High-Profile Investment Forum in Riyadh
On May 13, Riyadh is hosting a high-stakes US-Saudi investment forum attended by top executives from BlackRock, Palantir, Citigroup, IBM, Qualcomm, Alphabet, and Franklin Templeton. The presence of these major players underscores the strategic importance of the visit.
According to Saudi analyst Ali Shihabi, “Numerous deals are expected, including joint ventures, military procurements, and tech partnerships.”
Massive Gulf Investment Plans in the US
Back in January, Crown Prince Mohammed pledged $600 billion in US investments over four years. President Trump, however, is pushing for $1 trillion, including increased arms purchases and strategic tech investments.
The UAE has also committed to investing $1.4 trillion in the US over the next decade, with a focus on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, clean energy, and manufacturing.
Still, Karen Young warns that such figures should be viewed as long-term goals. “The scale of these investments is ambitious and will likely take years to materialize.”
Reviving US-Saudi Defense Ties
A major highlight of the visit is expected to be the announcement of more than $100 billion in US arms deals with Saudi Arabia. These may include advanced missile systems, radars, and transport aircraft.
While the Biden administration had halted offensive weapon sales to Riyadh in 2021 due to the Yemen conflict and the fallout from the Jamal Khashoggi killing, those restrictions were reversed last year.
Trump’s administration is now working to expedite the weapons procurement process for Gulf allies. “Saudi Arabia wants faster access to US military equipment, and new procedures are being initiated to enable that,” Shihabi added.
AI and Tech Access at the Center of Talks
Artificial intelligence is another top agenda item. Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE are pouring billions into emerging tech as part of their economic diversification strategies.
Trump has recently lifted chip export restrictions imposed during Biden’s term, a move welcomed by Gulf nations. The White House is now drafting new export rules that could involve bilateral agreements with countries like the UAE.
“This is critical for the UAE,” said Young. “They are aggressively building their AI infrastructure and need US technology to compete globally.”
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Economic Pressures
Trump’s visit also serves Saudi Arabia’s efforts to attract foreign support for its Vision 2030 initiative—a sweeping plan to reduce the kingdom’s dependence on oil through investment in tourism, mining, entertainment, and sports.
However, foreign direct investment into Saudi Arabia fell for a third consecutive year in 2024. With oil prices dropping to four-year lows and OPEC+ increasing output, Saudi finances are under pressure.
Some analysts suggest the production hike was partly aimed at keeping Trump satisfied with lower fuel prices.
Strengthening a Strategic Relationship
The US-Saudi Business Council hopes this visit will encourage American companies to explore partnerships in high-growth sectors such as healthcare, education, and AI.
“The Saudi government is eager to collaborate with US firms,” said Hutham Al Jalal, head of the Riyadh office of the Council. “Several deals in these sectors are expected during the President’s trip.”
For Saudi Arabia, the visit is a chance to reinforce its alliance with its longest-standing Western partner after a period of strained relations under the previous administration. For President Trump, it’s about showcasing progress on economic goals with big-ticket investments.
“Trump is aiming for headlines that reflect a win for American jobs and growth—and this trip is set to deliver that,” concluded Shihabi.
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