This week, American President Donald Trump will embark on the start of his second term’s maiden foreign tour, which targets the Middle East. The tour, in a repeat of his 2017 tour, will seek investment, trade, and technology deals from major regional leaders in the midst of current regional wars, such as the Gaza war. Trump’s talks in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will address numerous issues, ranging from oil commerce, investment, and the Iran nuclear program.
Economic deals are at the center of the trip, with Trump aiming to obtain multi-billion dollar investments from the rich Gulf states, consistent with his “America First” policy. Saudi Arabia has already pledged to invest $1 trillion in the US economy, and Trump will likely make bigger deals during the visit. Those deals, according to experts, are part of Trump’s wider strategy to consolidate US relations with the regional monarchies and tap into their enormous sovereign wealth funds to fuel US economic growth.
In a particular departure from his 2017 visit, Trump has decided not to stop in Israel. This follows increased tensions surrounding Israel’s war in Gaza and its disputed plans for the Palestinian population. Trump is still a central figure in Middle Eastern diplomacy, particularly with Saudi Arabia, and his failure to visit Israel indicates a departure in his strategy for the region.
The intricate Middle East politics, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Iran nuclear negotiations, and Saudi Arabian ambitions in the region, have turned this journey into a balancing act for Trump, who wants to cement his domestic agenda amid the evolving geopolitics of the region.
