Former US President Donald Trump has launched a high-stakes Trump Saudi economic tour, starting in Riyadh. He aims to secure $1 trillion in investments and finalize a $100 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia. The visit, packed with key figures like Elon Musk and Marco Rubio, signals Trump’s aggressive push to reshape US economic ties in the region.
Major Economic Ambitions
Trump landed in Saudi Arabia for a four-day Middle East tour focused on economic deals. Greeted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he seeks to attract major investments into US infrastructure and energy. He’s expected to announce sweeping agreements alongside leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
Elon Musk is accompanying Trump and will speak at the Saudi-US Investment Forum. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are also part of the delegation.
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Arms Deals and Regional Focus
During the Riyadh visit, Trump is expected to offer an arms package exceeding $100 billion. He will also attend a state banquet and travel to Qatar and the UAE. Although skipping Israel, he may visit Turkey for potential talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Jet Gift Sparks MAGA Backlash
Trump faces intense criticism from his MAGA base over plans to accept a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar to replace Air Force One. Right-wing voices, including Ben Shapiro and Laura Loomer, argue the gift contradicts Trump’s “America First” promise. Shapiro criticized the move as a betrayal, citing Qatar’s ties to controversial groups like Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.
Republican lawmakers, including Senator Rand Paul, raised concerns about violating the US Constitution’s emoluments clause. Paul warned of the appearance of impropriety and questioned the wisdom of accepting such an extravagant gift.
Inflation Slows, But Tariff Worries Persist
Meanwhile, US inflation slowed to 2.3% in April, just after Trump announced his “Liberation Day” tariffs. Economists warn that tariffs could soon drive prices up. Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated the tariffs may delay inflation reaching the 2% target for at least a year.
The business community now waits to see the real cost of Trump’s economic gamble.
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