Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi arabia culminated in a ample economic commitment, wiht the Kingdom pledging to invest $600 billion (€537 billion) in the united States. The agreement, signed during a gala welcome, signals a strengthening of economic ties between the two nations.

A Royal Welcome and Landmark Agreement

Mr. Trump was greeted by Prince Mohammed bin Salman upon his arrival. The two leaders afterward signed a extensive agreement covering key sectors such as energy, defense, and mining. This agreement underscores the strategic importance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship.

record-Breaking Arms Deal

A significant component of the agreement is a nearly $142 billion (€127 billion) arms package. According to a White House fact sheet, this is the largest defense co-operation agreement Washington has ever undertaken. The deal encompasses collaboration with over a dozen U.S. defense companies, enhancing Saudi Arabia’s capabilities in air and missile defense, air force and space advancement, maritime security, and communications.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision for Investment

Prince Mohammed bin Salman outlined enterprising plans for further investment during a U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum session in Riyadh. Today we hope for investment opportunities worth $600 billion, including deals worth $300 billion that were signed during this forum, he stated. he further added, We will work in the coming months on the second phase to complete deals and raise it to $1 trillion.

Trump’s Outlook

During a meeting with the Crown Prince, Mr. Trump expressed a positive sentiment about the relationship, saying, I really believe we like each other a lot. Discussions also included the potential purchase of lockheed F-35 jets by saudi Arabia, though it remains unclear weather these aircraft are included in the announced deal.

Beyond Saudi Arabia: A Tour of the Gulf

Accompanied by prominent U.S. business leaders,including Elon Musk,Mr. Trump’s itinerary included subsequent visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Notably absent from the schedule was a stop in Israel, raising questions about U.S. priorities in the region.The focus of the trip was primarily on investment opportunities rather than security matters.

Saudi Arabia’s Economic Diversification

Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih emphasized the evolving nature of the U.S.-Saudi relationship. While energy remains a cornerstone of our relationship, the investments and business opportunities in the kingdom have expanded and multiplied many, many times over, he noted. He also highlighted the benefits of collaboration, stating, As a result . . . when Saudis and Americans join forces, very good things happen, more frequently enough than not grate things happen when those joint ventures happen.

Trump’s Vision for Stronger Relations

Mr. Trump conveyed his optimism for the future of U.S.-Saudi relations at the investment forum. He was seen engaging with key Saudi figures, including Riyadh’s sovereign wealth fund governor Yaser al-Rumayyan and Aramco CEO Amin Nasser, while touring exhibits showcasing Saudi Arabia’s ambitious advancement projects. According to a pool report from the Wall Street Journal, Mr. Trump lauded the Crown Prince as a freind and highlighted the potential for Saudi investment to create jobs in the U.S.

Business Leaders in Attendance

The investment forum attracted prominent business leaders, including Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock; Stephen A Schwartzman, CEO of Blackstone; and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Elon Musk also engaged with both Mr.Trump and Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a palace reception. Musk, along with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, joined Trump for a lunch with MbS.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030

Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 programme aims to diversify the Saudi economy, reducing its reliance on oil revenues. This initiative includes ambitious “Giga-projects” such as NEOM, a futuristic city envisioned to be the size of Belgium. While oil still accounted for 62% of Saudi government revenue last year, the kingdom has scaled back some ambitions due to rising costs and falling oil prices.

Strategic Implications

While Mr. Trump omitted israel from his schedule, he is reportedly seeking a new ceasefire agreement in the Gaza conflict involving Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Together, Israel’s military actions against Hamas and Hezbollah have potentially strengthened Mr. Trump’s position by weakening Iran and its regional allies.

Iran and Nuclear Negotiations

U.S. and Iranian negotiators recently convened in Oman to discuss a potential deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program. Mr. Trump has warned of military action if diplomacy fails, stating at the investment forum that he wants to offer Iran a new and better path toward a more helpful future. He added that Tehran will face maximum pressure if no new nuclear deal is reached.

Expanding Normalization accords

Mr. Trump’s Middle east envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism about expanding the normalization accords brokered during Mr. Trump’s first term, wich saw Arab states like the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco recognize Israel. Mr.Trump voiced his fervent hope that Saudi Arabia would soon follow suit,adding,But you’ll do it in your own time. However, Netanyahu’s opposition to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the creation of a palestinian state makes progress on Saudi-Israeli normalization unlikely, according to sources.