During his ongoing Gulf tour, President Donald Trump announced a significant $142 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia, while also lifting sanctions on Syria, marking a pivotal moment in U.S.-Saudi relations.
Trump Signs $142 Billion Arms Deal During Saudi Visit and Lifts Syria Sanctions
Trump Signs $142 Billion Arms Deal During Saudi Visit and Lifts Syria Sanctions
President Trump's Gulf tour highlights investment focus and regional diplomacy.
In his first significant diplomatic trip of the term, President Donald Trump described Saudi Arabia as “no stronger partner” for the U.S., while unveiling an impressive $142 billion arms deal on his first day. The deal is being touted alongside other substantial investments, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman suggesting that these new initiatives could collectively amount to an eye-watering value of $1 trillion.
Trump made history by choosing Saudi Arabia as his first overseas stop during his presidency. His itinerary includes visits to Qatar and the UAE in the following days. During a nearly hour-long address at a U.S.-Saudi investment forum in Riyadh, Trump proclaimed the alliance to be "more powerful than ever," highlighting improved U.S.-Saudi economic ties as a central theme of his administration's goals during the first four months of his second term.
Expressing strong admiration for the Saudi Crown Prince, Trump stated, “I like him too much,” underscoring the close ties the two nations have forged. The President was accompanied by several business leaders at a lavish lunch, including billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, showcasing his commitment to fostering economic partnerships.
In a surprising move, Trump also announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria, asserting that this would allow the nation “a chance at greatness.” He expressed a desire for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, a groundbreaking agreement from his previous term that normalized relations between Israel and several Gulf states.
Despite the warm atmosphere of the trip, Trump briefly acknowledged the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hamas, making reference to recent violence, and suggested that those in Gaza deserve a brighter future inhibited by Hamas’s actions.
Trump's affectionate approach towards Saudi Arabia stands in stark contrast to President Biden’s often strained relationship with the kingdom, particularly following Biden's statements calling Saudi Arabia a “pariah” due to past human rights violations. This development is framed against a backdrop of Biden's previous commitment to scrutinize ties with Saudi Arabia, especially following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
From Saudi Arabia, the President is expected to continue his Gulf tour with stops in Qatar and the UAE, where discussions of an additional $1.4 trillion in investments into the U.S. over the next decade are anticipated.
Trump made history by choosing Saudi Arabia as his first overseas stop during his presidency. His itinerary includes visits to Qatar and the UAE in the following days. During a nearly hour-long address at a U.S.-Saudi investment forum in Riyadh, Trump proclaimed the alliance to be "more powerful than ever," highlighting improved U.S.-Saudi economic ties as a central theme of his administration's goals during the first four months of his second term.
Expressing strong admiration for the Saudi Crown Prince, Trump stated, “I like him too much,” underscoring the close ties the two nations have forged. The President was accompanied by several business leaders at a lavish lunch, including billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, showcasing his commitment to fostering economic partnerships.
In a surprising move, Trump also announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria, asserting that this would allow the nation “a chance at greatness.” He expressed a desire for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, a groundbreaking agreement from his previous term that normalized relations between Israel and several Gulf states.
Despite the warm atmosphere of the trip, Trump briefly acknowledged the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hamas, making reference to recent violence, and suggested that those in Gaza deserve a brighter future inhibited by Hamas’s actions.
Trump's affectionate approach towards Saudi Arabia stands in stark contrast to President Biden’s often strained relationship with the kingdom, particularly following Biden's statements calling Saudi Arabia a “pariah” due to past human rights violations. This development is framed against a backdrop of Biden's previous commitment to scrutinize ties with Saudi Arabia, especially following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
From Saudi Arabia, the President is expected to continue his Gulf tour with stops in Qatar and the UAE, where discussions of an additional $1.4 trillion in investments into the U.S. over the next decade are anticipated.
