Economy Trump to visit Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar by May By Reuters April 1, 2025, 10:17 AM Alamy/Zuma Press US President Donald Trump, pictured with Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman. Trump said his trip to Saudi Arabia would be to seal an agreement to invest upwards of $1 trillion in the US economy US President Donald Trump said on Monday he plans to visit Saudi Arabia as early as May to sign an investment agreement in what will be the first foreign trip of his second term, with stops also planned in Qatar and the UAE. “It could be next month, maybe a little later,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. Four sources briefed on the matter said mid-May was being looked at as the timing for the trip. Trump made Saudi Arabia and Israel the initial stops on his inaugural foreign trip during his first term in 2017. Trump, reiterating remarks he made in early March, said his trip to Saudi Arabia would be to seal an agreement to invest upwards of $1 trillion in the US economy, including purchases of military equipment. He suggested similar agreements would be signed in Qatar and the UAE. “Tremendous jobs will be created in those two or three days,” Trump said. The president did not elaborate on the specifics of the deals. Other topics likely to be discussed include Russia’s war in Ukraine and the war in Gaza, one source said. Assets at Kushner’s Affinity soar after Gulf cash injection Why Gulf investors are betting big on Trump’s America UAE’s $1.4trn US pledge is political positioning, experts say Saudi Arabia has played a prominent role in US foreign policy, including hosting US ceasefire talks with Russia and Ukraine. “An opportunity for international travel for the President is something that is being looked at. We don’t yet have a specific plan, and we will provide that information when it is official,” a White House official said ahead of Trump’s remarks. Last week, Trump vowed to add more countries to the Abraham Accords, the series of normalisation agreements his administration negotiated between Israel and some Gulf countries during his first term. Trump said more countries want to join the accords. While the White House has singled out Saudi Arabia as a possible participant in the accords, the Saudis have qualms about Israel due to the Gaza war. Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later
