Trump Begins Middle East Tour Focused on Gulf Deals and Gaza Proposal

U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to begin a high-stakes Middle East tour aimed at reshaping the region’s economic and geopolitical landscape. Greeted with full royal honors by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump’s arrival was marked by a Saudi Air Force escort and a purple carpet underscoring the symbolic weight of his visit.

Joining the president were some of the most influential figures in global business, including Tesla’s Elon Musk, BlackRock’s Larry Fink, and Blackstone CEO Stephen A. Schwartzman. Their presence highlights the administration’s push to secure major investment pledges from Gulf nations, with an eye on sectors like artificial intelligence and semiconductor production.

At the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum in Riyadh, Trump is expected to finalize a $600 billion investment commitment from the Kingdom. The UAE, meanwhile, has pledged a staggering $1.4 trillion over the next decade. Trump will also participate in the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit before traveling to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

A central, and highly controversial, topic on the agenda is Trump’s Gaza proposal. First introduced in February, the plan envisions U.S. control of the coastal enclave, the relocation of its two million residents, and the transformation of the war-torn territory into a gleaming “Riviera of the Middle East.” While critics have slammed the plan as implausible and insensitive, Trump insists it is a bold solution for lasting peace.

Saudi normalization talks with Israel, once a diplomatic cornerstone of the Abraham Accords expansion, have stalled due to the ongoing war in Gaza. Saudi officials reiterated this week that no breakthrough will occur without a ceasefire and a clear path toward Palestinian statehood.

Despite these challenges, Trump signaled optimism. “Discussions on the Middle East with Israel and other countries are progressing,” he said before departing Washington.

Trump’s tour is being closely watched not just for its economic stakes, but for its potential diplomatic implications. In Qatar, he will meet with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and discuss regional coordination, while in Abu Dhabi, meetings with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed will focus on expanding U.S.-Emirati cooperation.

There is also speculation that Trump may divert to Turkey if a proposed meeting between Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Russian President Putin materializes there. The U.S. president hinted he could intervene personally “if I thought it would be helpful.”

Adding to the geopolitical complexity, Trump suggested that U.S. sanctions on Syria could be lifted following the recent ouster of longtime dictator Bashar Assad. “We’re going to have to make a decision on the sanctions, which we may very well relieve,” he said.

As the tour unfolds, the world is watching whether Trump can turn vision into action and whether these diplomatic and economic overtures will move the needle on peace, stability, and prosperity across the region.

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