Trump’s Middle East Visit Expected to Secure $1T in Strategic Deals

U.S. President Donald Trump has embarked on a high-stakes visit to the Middle East from May 13 to 16, 2025, with stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The tour, accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is focused on fortifying economic partnerships and strategic cooperation with key Gulf allies.

The U.S. State Department, in a video shared on its Arabic-language account on X, emphasized that the visit underscores the importance the United States places on its strategic partnerships in the region.

$1 Trillion Investment Push

A major aim of the visit is to finalize investment agreements worth up to $1 trillion, with significant commitments expected from Gulf nations. These deals will reportedly include large-scale purchases of U.S. military equipment and increased trade and infrastructure investments.

President Trump previewed the economic magnitude of the trip in March, saying:

“Tremendous jobs will be created in those two or three days.”

In a call with President Trump earlier this year, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledged $600 billion in U.S.-bound investments over the next four years, with potential for further increases. The two leaders also discussed enhancing regional peace, stability, and counterterrorism cooperation.

The Crown Prince noted his country’s interest in participating in the anticipated U.S. economic reforms, describing the moment as a historic opportunity for mutual prosperity.

In late January, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, held a telephone conversation with President Trump. During the call, the Crown Prince affirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to expanding its investment and trade relations with the United States over the next four years, pledging $600 billion, with the potential for additional contributions beyond that figure.

The discussion focused on enhancing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the United States to advance peace, security, and stability in the Middle East. Both leaders also explored opportunities to strengthen bilateral efforts in counterterrorism and expand collaboration across a range of sectors. Prince Mohammed expressed confidence in the U.S. administration’s capacity to deliver transformative economic reforms, noting Saudi Arabia’s interest in actively participating in the resulting opportunities for partnership and investment.

Broader Diplomatic Agenda

Following the tour, Secretary of State Rubio will head to Türkiye for an informal NATO foreign ministers' meeting from May 14 to 16, reinforcing the administration’s wider commitment to global security and alliance-building.

President Trump’s visit highlights a pragmatic foreign policy approach that leverages economic diplomacy to rebuild trust, encourage investment, and strengthen America's leadership role in the region.