President Donald Trump has embarked on a significant foreign trip to the Middle East, starting with Saudi Arabia. This visit marks the beginning of his second term’s international agenda, which includes stops in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and potentially Turkey.
Initially, this trip was meant to be his first overseas visit since taking office again. However, Trump made an earlier trip to attend Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome last month. Now, he is focusing on strengthening ties with these energy-rich nations while addressing pressing global conflicts, including the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and the situation in Ukraine.
A notable aspect of this trip is the controversy surrounding a reported gift from Qatar—a $400 million Boeing 747 jumbo jet. Critics are concerned that accepting such a gift could indicate Qatar’s desire to influence the Trump administration, given its history of supporting terrorist groups. Trump has defended the arrangement, arguing that it’s a cost-effective way to replace the aging Air Force One.
During a press briefing, Trump expressed his willingness to add Turkey to his itinerary. He mentioned the importance of upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting that his presence could be beneficial.
The meeting in Turkey is set to take place later this week and is viewed as critical for reducing violence in Ukraine. Trump emphasized the urgency of the situation, describing the conflict as a “bloodbath.” Zelenskyy has even indicated he would appreciate Trump’s attendance at the meeting.
An additional layer to this trip is the potential meeting between Trump and Edan Alexander, the recently freed American hostage, depending on Alexander’s health. This visit comes at a time when Israel is ramping up its military operations in Gaza, with plans to expand its ground operations if a ceasefire is not reached.
Trump’s previous administration saw the establishment of strong relationships with Gulf states, culminating in the Abraham Accords. He is now looking to extend this agreement to include Saudi Arabia, although the current conflict complicates these efforts.
In a recent development, the Biden administration has softened its stance on Saudi Arabia’s normalization of ties with Israel, which could facilitate U.S. support for Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear program. Earlier this year, Trump announced that Saudi Arabia committed to investing $1 trillion in the U.S. economy over four years, showcasing the ongoing economic ties between the two nations.
As Trump continues his journey through the Middle East, the world will be watching how his discussions may influence both regional stability and international relations.