US President Donald Trump is set to begin a four-day trip with a visit to Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The tour will include stops in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Trump’s upcoming is expected to be shaped by a mix of high-stakes diplomacy and controversy. While the primary focus of the visit is boosting financial ties with the Gulf, headlines have been dominated by reports of a luxury Boeing 747, allegedly gifted by Qatar and valued at over $400 million, that could be used as the next Air Force One.
This development risks overshadowing key discussions on regional policy, including Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the war in Gaza. Trump has also signaled that he may visit to Türkiye for the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
This could have been Trump’s first foreign visit of his second term, but he had to travel to Italy first to attend the funeral of Pope Francis.
Let's take a closer look at the top issues effecting Trump's gulf visit.
Focus on Gulf trade and investment
During his visit to Gulf, US President Donald Trump is expected to prioritize economic partnerships with key allies. In April, he imposed a modest 10% tariff on imports from the UAE and Saudi Arabia—relatively low compared to previous actions against Asian nations. The US reported a $20 billion trade surplus with the UAE and a $443 million surplus with Saudi Arabia in 2024.
During his visit, Trump is expected to announce new agreements in areas such as artificial intelligence, energy cooperation, and defense—most notably a $3.5 billion arms deal involving air-to-air missiles for Saudi Arabia.
He will also attend a Saudi-US investment forum, where he aims to expand on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s earlier $600 billion pledge by securing up to $1 trillion in future investments for US industries.
Trump’s four-day Middle East trip is centered on broader trade negotiations, as his administration seeks to finalize tariff reduction deals ahead of a 90-day deadline in July.
Before departing Washington, the White House announced a major breakthrough with China—reducing US tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, and China’s tariffs on American exports from 125% to 10%.
Shift in regional priorities
US President Donald Trump’s Middle East trip is expected to be centered on regional policy, with the absence of Israel from the itinerary reflecting a shift in priorities. Discussions will focus on key issues such as Gaza, Iran, and Syria.
Trump announced that Hamas will release Edan Alexander, the last American hostage in Gaza—a move that could lead to broader ceasefire talks. He has also suggested controversial ideas, including potential US oversight of Gaza, and is considering lifting sanctions on Syria following the fall of the Assad regime.
Nuclear negotiations with Iran are ongoing, with Trump stressing that while the US welcomes a prosperous Iran, it must never acquire nuclear weapons. In Qatar, Trump will meet Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to discuss military cooperation, regional security, and possible easing of sanctions on Syria.
Qatar is also expected to raise Gaza ceasefire efforts, underlining the broader security focus of the visit. Meanwhile, Trump’s decision to skip Israel suggests that a trade deal with Tel Aviv remains out of reach.
Although the Abraham Accords continue to shape the diplomatic landscape, Trump has shifted emphasis toward economic and strategic partnerships. His administration has deliberately separated talks on Saudi-Israeli normalization from nuclear negotiations—marking a clear departure from previous US policy.
Trump's family Business ties to Middle East and the Boeing 747
Trump’s Middle East visit is drawing scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest, as his family’s business ventures continue expanding across the region. The Trump Organization, led by his sons Eric and Donald Jr., recently announced a $530 million luxury development in Jeddah with Dar Global, alongside ongoing projects in Riyadh and plans for a Trump-branded property in Qatar.
Meanwhile, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner secured a $2 billion investment from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund shortly after leaving office, prompting calls from lawmakers for a DOJ investigation. Critics argue these ties blur the line between public service and private gain.
The trip also coincides with news of a UAE-based investment in a Trump-affiliated cryptocurrency and controversy over a luxury Boeing 747 reportedly gifted by Qatar, intended for use as Air Force One. While Qatari officials deny the jet will be handed over during this visit, the issue has fueled concerns over whether Trump is using his presidency for personal enrichment.
Though Trump aides deny any conflict, the overlap between official policy discussions and ongoing Trump business deals adds a layer of controversy to his diplomatic agenda in the region.
Investments
A key aim of Trump’s Middle East trip is to secure major investment commitments from Gulf allies. Axios reported Trump hopes to return with $1 trillion in pledges and deals.
Saudi Arabia previously committed $600 billion over Trump’s second term and is hosting an investment forum in Riyadh during his visit. The UAE has pledged a 10-year, $1.4 trillion investment framework focused on AI, energy, semiconductors, and manufacturing.
Trump’s trip also includes defense talks, with the U.S. approving a $3.5 billion missile sale to Saudi Arabia ahead of the visit.
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