Trump's Middle East tour marks major foreign policy shift: 10 takeaways

US President Donald Trump waves after arriving on Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 16, 2025, following a trip to the Middle East. Trump returns to Washington after ending a multi-day trip to the Gulf states. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)

US President Donald Trump is back from a news-breaking three-nation Middle East tour that marked a significant foreign policy shift. On trips to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, Trump unveiled sweeping investment commitments, re-opened diplomatic channels with old enemies, and surprised allies by being more accommodating towards Iran and Gaza. In contrast to hard-line policies of his first term, the trip reflected a more pragmatic, deal-making approach to engagement—relating to remake America's position in the region. The following are 10 key points about the visit, as reported by the New York Times.

1. Trump completed a high-profile trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UA

President Trump returned to the US on Friday following a Middle East whirlwind tour, dominated by extravagant receptions, business ties, and off-the-record diplomacy. The tour, Trump's first major foreign tour during his second term, put the Gulf at the centre of Trump's foreign policy focus.

2. In a historic flip-flop, Trump met Syria's new president

Trump had an unplanned meeting with Syria's new president, Ahmed al-Shara — a previous rebel leader who came to power after Bashar al-Assad was toppled. The meeting broke decades of American isolationist policy and was succeeded by an announcement lifting sanctions off Syria, providing al-Shara with a critical economic boost.

3. The Syria sanctions rollback drew applause in Riyadh

Speaking to a Saudi assembly of dignitaries, Trump's trip to ease sanctions on Syria was greeted with warm support. It was a deliberate move towards a new beginning with a country that had been devastated by civil war and it presented potential prospects for American companies in Syria's reconstruction.

4. Trump boasted huge business deals — but there were few details

Trump took credit for $4 trillion in commitment of investments, including a $200 billion Boeing contract with Qatar. Official statements, though, indicated the Boeing contract to be less than half the size, and some other commitments were already in progress prior to the visit.

5. The leaders of the Gulf were eager to show their ties with Trump

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE rolled out the red carpet and were more than willing to welcome Trump's investment tales. Gulf monarchs see strategic gain from aligning themselves with Trump's transactional diplomacy, analysts say.

6. Trump hinted at a softening stance on Iran

In speeches in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Trump spoke of offering Tehran "a much better way" and quoted comments by an Iranian official for improved relations. The steps marked a shift from his earlier hardline "maximum pressure" approach.

7. Qatar's role as US-Iran middleman was verbally complimented

Trump expressed gratitude to Qatar for facilitating indirect US-Iranian discussions and called Iran "lucky" to have it as an ally. The statements emphasized Doha's role in regional diplomacy and sent the signal that more backchannel discussions are possible.

8. He acknowledged suffering in Gaza for the first time in months

While he did not travel to Israel or speak much about the Gaza war, Trump stated on Friday, "There's a lot of people starving, a lot of bad things going on." It was his first departure from his typical silence about Palestinian suffering and caught the attention of Arab leaders.

9. Ukraine talks teetered on the brink in Turkey — but Trump refused

As negotiations for cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine were taking place in Istanbul, there were growing rumours that Trump would appear. He pulled out at the eleventh hour, saying that any worthwhile progress would entail a one-on-one sit-down with Vladimir Putin, which he intends to arrange "soon."

10. The trip was a reshaped second-term foreign policy

Trump's Middle Eastern tour revealed a more pragmatic, and less doctrinal, approach than in his initial term. From Syria re-engagement to making peace with Iran and cautiously addressing Gaza, the trip revealed potential shifts in America's position in the region.