President Donald Trump kicked off a high-profile tour of the Gulf on Tuesday, beginning in Riyadh, focusing on securing business investments from Saudi Arabia. He arrived alongside top U.S. business leaders, including Elon Musk and OpenAI’s Sam Altman, as the kingdom hosted a U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum highlighting tech, infrastructure, and economic partnerships.
What to Know:
- Trump is seeking up to $1 trillion in investment deals from Gulf nations.
- He landed in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, greeted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
- Major U.S. executives from Amazon, Nvidia, BlackRock, and others are attending.
- The visit emphasizes economic ties over regional security issues.
- Trump will continue his trip to Qatar on Wednesday and the UAE on Thursday.
- Notably, he is skipping Israel, raising questions about shifting U.S. priorities.
Stay with Newsweek for the latest updates.
Trump secures $600 billion inv
estment commitment from Saudi Arabia
Trump announced a historic $600 billion investment commitment from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, marking a major milestone in U.S.-Saudi economic relations. The agreement, celebrated during Trump’s visit to Riyadh, includes a broad range of deals focused on defense, energy, technology, infrastructure, and healthcare.
Among the key deals: DataVolt plans to invest $20 billion in U.S. data centers and energy infrastructure, while major American tech firms like Google, Oracle, and Salesforce will work jointly with Saudi partners on $80 billion in technology ventures. Iconic U.S. companies will also help build major Saudi infrastructure projects, generating $2 billion in services exports.
The announcement also includes a nearly $142 billion defense agreement—the largest in U.S. history—covering air, land, sea, and communications systems and training for Saudi armed forces. Additional agreements aim to expand energy, mining, space, healthcare, and transportation cooperation.
Trump called the deals a new era of partnership, framing them as part of his broader “America First” economic strategy. The administration says the agreements will support U.S. jobs, expand trade, and deepen strategic ties between the two nations.
Trump administration signs multiple new agreements with Saudi Arabia
The Trump administration signed several new agreements with Saudi Arabia on Tuesday as Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized strengthening ties between their governments.
At a signing ceremony inside Riyadh’s Royal Court, officials finalized a series of memoranda of understanding and letters of intent across the military, health, and judicial sectors. Several agreements focused on bolstering Saudi Arabia’s military through training, maintenance support, and medical development for its armed forces.
The countries also agreed on increased cooperation between customs agencies, joint medical research into infectious diseases, and new partnerships involving the FBI and Saudi Interior Ministry. The deals reflect Crown Prince Mohammed’s ongoing effort to position himself as a key U.S. ally.
Trump faces legal pushback over emergency tariffs without Congress
President Donald Trump faces mounting legal challenges over his sweeping tariffs, imposed under a national emergency without congressional approval. On Tuesday, a three-judge panel at the U.S. Court of International Trade heard the first of at least seven lawsuits arguing that Trump overstepped his authority by invoking the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEPPA) to justify tariffs on nearly every country.
The president imposed the tariffs on April 2 — what he called “Liberation Day” — setting a 10% baseline and up to 50% on countries with significant trade surpluses with the U.S. Critics, including small business owners and trade experts, say trade deficits don’t constitute an emergency and that IEPPA doesn’t authorize tariffs.
Legal experts believe the fight may reach the Supreme Court, where it could test the limits of executive power. Meanwhile, legislation aimed at reining in presidential tariff powers is stalled in Congress, and affected businesses are scrambling to manage costs amid unpredictable trade rules.
US and ally stage naval drills in warning to North Korea
The United States and South Korea wrapped up a four-day series of naval drills Sunday amid mounting tensions with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un regime.
Newsweek reached out to the North Korean embassy in Beijing and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command via email for comment.
North-South relations are at their lowest point in decades as Pyongyang pushes ahead with its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs. Kim’s decision to send thousands of troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine has only escalated the standoff.
The 41-year-old leader has cited Seoul’s growing military ties with Washington, and increasingly, with Tokyo, as justification for his nuclear arsenal, saying it’s needed to defend against these “provocations.”
Trump praises Saudi crown prince, focuses on investment deals
Trump praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during their bilateral meeting Tuesday, calling the Saudi leader “wise beyond his years” and highlighting their “tremendous relationship.”
“I really believe we like each other a lot,” Trump said, calling the visit an honor and applauding the crown prince’s role in mediating international conflicts, including efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump emphasized Saudi investment in the U.S., saying it would generate “tremendous numbers of jobs.” While regional tensions remain high, Trump has largely avoided discussing sensitive issues like the Gaza conflict or Iran, instead spotlighting business deals and economic ties between the two nations.
Trump urges Saudi Arabia to boost U.S. investment to $1 trillion
During a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump pressed Saudi Arabia to double its pledged investment in the United States, requesting $1 trillion. The kingdom has already committed $600 billion over four years, but Trump pushed for more, citing the presence of top global business leaders.
“We have the biggest business leaders in the world here,” Trump said, per The New York Times. “They’re going to walk away with a lot of checks.”
Despite Trump’s appeal, economists have questioned whether Saudi Arabia has the financial capacity to meet such a request. The crown prince has spearheaded major development initiatives under Vision 2030 but has faced recent financial constraints amid falling oil prices and rising costs.
Trump backs Ciattarelli in New Jersey GOP primary
Trump endorsed Republican Jack Ciattarelli in New Jersey’s GOP gubernatorial primary, giving his campaign a key boost ahead of the June 10 contest. Trump announced his support on Truth Social, calling Ciattarelli “ALL IN” on the MAGA agenda.
The endorsement helps Ciattarelli stand out in a crowded field that includes two other Trump-aligned candidates and state Sen. Jon Bramnick, who has criticized the president. Ciattarelli, once a Trump critic himself, expressed gratitude in a post on X, calling the endorsement an honor and urging Republicans to unite.
The endorsement highlights Trump’s continued influence in the GOP, even in a blue-leaning state like New Jersey. Critics, including rival Bill Spadea, claimed Trump’s support was based on polling rather than policy. Ciattarelli, who nearly defeated Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy in 2021, hopes this backing helps him go further in 2025.
Trump welcomed with royal fanfare at Saudi court
Trump was met with elaborate pageantry at the Royal Court in Riyadh on Tuesday, continuing a visit focused on business and diplomacy. The former reality TV star appeared at ease with the ceremony, which included a horseback escort, national anthems, and a coffee and tea reception alongside Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Trump’s motorcade was greeted by Arabian horses bearing U.S. and Saudi flags, and trumpets sounded as he stepped out to shake hands with the crown prince. The two leaders walked a purple carpet and entered a lavish hall where they exchanged pleasantries with top officials and business executives.
Inside, Trump and bin Salman were joined by leaders from major U.S. companies including Amazon, OpenAI, Google, Boeing, and Coca-Cola. Elon Musk, a key adviser to Trump and CEO of several tech firms, was among those present. The visit reflects Trump’s push to secure investment deals and deepen economic ties in the region.
Who went to Saudi Arabia with Trump?
When U.S. President Donald Trump landed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday morning to kick off a four-day tour of the Middle East, he brought a large delegation that included senior figures from his administration and guests from the business world.
Trump was greeted with all the pomp of a royal welcome as he was met by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman while disembarking from Air Force One to the sound of fanfare.
A Saudi-US Investment Forum event is taking place on Tuesday, and many of Trump’s extensive delegation will attend, along with many of the top business leaders from the U.S. One of the focuses of Trump’s Middle East trip is growing U.S. trade.
