Saudi Crown Prince Offers Trump A Warm Welcome On First Stop Of His Middle East Tour

In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, U.S. President Donald Trump initiated a four-day Middle East trip by signing various economic and bilateral agreements with Saudi Arabia, a key Mideast ally. The agreements focused on enhancing cooperation between the two countries amidst shared concerns about Iran’s nuclear program and the ongoing war in Gaza. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, warmly welcomed Trump upon his arrival at King Khalid International Airport, followed by a bilateral meeting where they signed over a dozen agreements to strengthen collaboration in areas such as military, justice, and culture. The leaders also participated in a formal greeting and lunch at the Royal Court at Al Yamamah Palace with business executives and dignitaries. Trump’s visit to the Middle East aims to highlight the benefits of his transactional approach to international relations, particularly in dealings with wealthy countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The trip also seeks to revive efforts to normalize relations between major powers in the region, such as Israel and Saudi Arabia.