Returning to the Middle East with familiar flair, President Donald Trump was met with regal fanfare in Riyadh on his first foreign trip of his second term, and he didn’t leave empty-handed. With a spectacle that included fighter jet escorts and traditional cavalry, Saudi Arabia pulled out all the stops to welcome the US leader, who secured a cascade of investment pledges across sectors like artificial intelligence, defense, and technology.
Trump’s visit culminated in the announcement of a $600 billion investment pledge, including nearly $142 billion in weapons deals and $20 billion earmarked by Saudi firm DataVolt for US-based AI ventures, a significant boost for both economies. Trump’s deals in the Arab nation headlined the visit’s outcomes and marked a renewed strategic alignment between Washington and Riyadh.
Under opulent chandeliers at the royal palace, Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman celebrated the agreements with banter and bold promises. “We’ve got the biggest business leaders here, and they’re walking away with serious checks,” Trump said, suggesting the scale of potential US job creation could reach two million.
Artificial Intelligence Takes Center Stage During Trump-Saudi Arabia Deals
Among the tech highlights, Google and other US firms are reportedly expanding AI cooperation in the Gulf, symbolizing Saudi Arabia’s bid to rebrand from an oil-reliant monarchy to a tech-savvy global player. These Trump-Saudi Arabia deals mark a pivot in US-Saudi relations, underscoring the kingdom’s efforts to modernize its global image while Trump leverages his longstanding ties in the region.
Elon Musk, typically seen in more casual Silicon Valley garb, made a rare suited appearance, reinforcing the economic magnitude of the meeting. With Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 in full swing, AI is no longer just a buzzword, it’s now central to both Saudi transformation and US tech diplomacy.
The Gulf tour continues, with Trump set to visit Qatar and the UAE, signaling a strong preference for oil-rich allies over traditional Western partners. As tensions over Iran’s nuclear ambitions rise, and Israel weighs military options, the stakes for US diplomacy in the region have never been higher.
While critics voice concerns over Trump’s overt courtship of authoritarian regimes, others view these Trump-Saudi Arabia deals as pragmatic moves that fortify America’s strategic and economic interests in a volatile but crucial region.
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