*Trump’s Middle East Tour: A Focus on Deals and Economic Ties*

Highlights of Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia - ABC News

In May 2025, President Donald Trump embarked on his first major international trip of his second term, visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates over four days (May 12–16). The tour, described as a “historic return to the Middle East” by the White House, underscored Trump’s deal-making approach, prioritizing economic investments over traditional diplomatic or security-focused agendas. Below is a breakdown of the key developments from his visits, based on recent reports.

### Saudi Arabia: Securing Massive Investments

Trump’s trip began in Riyadh on May 13, where he was warmly received by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The highlight was a $600 billion investment commitment from Saudi Arabia to the United States, announced at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum. This deal aims to bolster U.S. sectors like energy, defense, technology, and infrastructure, building on similar agreements from Trump’s first term in 2017.[](https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/05/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-secures-historic-600-billion-investment-commitment-in-saudi-arabia/)[](https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/1886940044977389805)

Additionally, Trump made a surprise announcement to lift long-standing U.S. sanctions on Syria, following the fall of the Assad regime. Speaking at the investment forum, he stated this move would “give [Syria] a chance at greatness” after its devastating civil war. The decision sparked discussions about U.S. foreign policy shifts in the region, with some analysts noting it aligns with Trump’s focus on economic opportunities over military entanglements.[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/13/trump-middle-east-saudi-arabia-qatar-uae/)[](https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-starts-gulf-visit-seeking-big-economic-deals-2025-05-13/)

Trump also met with Syria’s interim president in Riyadh, signaling a potential reengagement with the country. However, the visit drew criticism for bypassing Israel, a traditional U.S. ally, amid reported tensions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.[](https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-middle-east-news-05-14-25/)[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/13/trump-middle-east-saudi-arabia-qatar-uae/)

### Qatar: Boeing Deals and Military Base Visit

On May 14, Trump arrived in Doha, Qatar, greeted with fanfare including displays of camels and red Cybertrucks. A major announcement was Qatar Airways’ purchase of 160 Boeing jets, which Trump claimed was the largest order in Boeing’s history. This deal aligns with his goal of securing over $1 trillion in agreements during the trip, reinforcing U.S. economic ties with Gulf states.[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/14/trump-saudi-arabia-qatar/)[](https://x.com/HSajwanization/status/1881965336356090051)

Trump also visited Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East, to meet with service members. The visit highlighted Qatar’s role as a key U.S. ally, though it was overshadowed by controversy over Qatar’s offer of a luxury jet to replace Air Force One. Trump defended accepting the plane as a cost-saving measure for the Defense Department, but the move raised ethical concerns among some Republicans and observers.[](https://www.npr.org/2025/05/11/g-s1-65838/qatar-plane-trump)[](https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/12/politics/trump-middle-east-what-to-watch)

### United Arab Emirates: Arms Sales and AI Investments

Trump’s final stop was the UAE on May 15, where he aimed to finalize additional investment deals. The U.S. recently approved a $1.4 billion weapons sale to the UAE, including Chinook helicopters and F-16 parts, signaling continued military cooperation. The UAE has committed to $1.4 trillion in U.S. investments over the next decade, with a focus on technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Reports indicate that Trump’s visit facilitated agreements for Saudi Arabia and the UAE to access advanced AI chips from Nvidia and AMD, positioning the Gulf as a hub for U.S. tech initiatives.[](https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-middle-east-news-05-13-25)[](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/05/14/tech/trump-middle-east-ai-nvidia/)

### Key Themes and Controversies

1. *Economic Focus Over Diplomacy*: Unlike past U.S. presidents who prioritized strategic visions for the Middle East, Trump’s trip centered on business deals. Analysts note that his itinerary reflects a shift in U.S. foreign policy, with democratic values taking a backseat to economic interests. The Trump Organization’s existing and planned developments in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, including a Trump-branded golf club in Qatar, have raised questions about potential conflicts of interest.[](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/12/trump-middle-east-deals-00339907)[](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/13/trump-organization-middle-east-trip)

   

2. *Bypassing Israel*: Trump’s decision to exclude Israel from his itinerary has fueled speculation of a rift with Netanyahu. This marks a departure from his 2017 Middle East trip, which included Israel. Observers suggest the omission may reflect frustrations over past disagreements, such as Netanyahu’s 2020 annexation plans and his congratulation of Joe Biden’s election win, which angered Trump. Some Israeli commentators view this as a deliberate message to Netanyahu, especially as Israel faces escalating conflicts in Gaza.[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/05/12/trump-netanyahu-middle-east-trip/)[](https://www.egyptindependent.com/trumps-middle-east-trip-leaves-netanyahu-watching-from-the-sidelines-again/)[](https://www.dw.com/en/us-updates-trump-embarks-on-middle-east-trip/live-72524029)

Here’s a concise summary of recent news regarding President Donald Trump’s Middle East visits in May 2025, tailored for a blog post. The information is drawn from various web sources and focuses on key events, outcomes, and implications of his trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). I’ve prioritized factual reporting and avoided speculative or unverified claims, ensuring the content is suitable for a blog audience.

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