US President Donald Trump. ARCHIVE

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to visit Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar as early as May 2025. His trip aims to secure a massive investment deal worth over $1 trillion, including arms purchases, he told reporters at the White House on Monday (March 31). “It could be next month, maybe a little later,” Trump said. While details remain scarce, four sources familiar with the matter confirmed that mid-May is being considered for the visit. This trip will mark Trump’s first foreign tour since assuming his second term in office. His first term in 2017 saw Saudi Arabia and Israel as his initial stops. Trump emphasized that the visit would result in substantial economic benefits for the United States. “Tremendous jobs will be created in those two or three days,” he said, without elaborating on specifics. The agenda is expected to include discussions on military cooperation, investment agreements, and regional security. Saudi Arabia, a key US ally, has hosted ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine, making it an important player in US diplomatic efforts. A White House official confirmed that international travel plans were being considered but said, “We don’t yet have a specific plan, and we will provide that information when it is official.”

Trump eyes expansion of Abraham Accords

Trump also reiterated his commitment to expanding the Abraham Accords, the normalization agreements between Israel and Arab nations brokered during his first term. “More countries want to join,” he said. While Saudi Arabia has been a focus of US efforts to expand the accords, the ongoing war in Gaza remains a significant hurdle. Riyadh has hesitated to formalize ties with Israel due to the conflict. Analysts suggest that Trump's visit could be an opportunity to push forward diplomatic normalization while securing economic partnerships with Gulf nations. ICA/Expat Media
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