US President Donald Trump has secured a staggering $600 billion investment commitment from Saudi Arabia during the first leg of his Gulf tour, according to the White House.
The announcement, made after a high-profile red carpet welcome in the Saudi capital, includes a record-breaking $142 billion defense deal and extensive cooperation in energy, mining, and infrastructure.
US-Saudi Investment deals
As Trump descended from Air Force One in Riyadh, he was greeted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who later signed the landmark agreements in the presence of US business leaders, including tech billionaire Elon Musk.
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President Donald J. Trump Secures Historic $600 Billion Investment Commitment in Saudi Arabia
The deal is being described by American officials as the largest defense and investment agreement ever made between the two nations.
The defense component aloneâvalued at nearly $142 billionâis part of a broader US effort to strengthen military alliances in the Middle East while creating domestic jobs through arms manufacturing.
According to Reuters, sources close to the negotiations mentioned ongoing discussions around the potential sale of Lockheed Martin’s advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a deal long desired by Riyadh but not yet confirmed as part of the final package.
Focus shifts from security to long-term economic cooperation
In a clear shift from traditional US Middle East visits focused on counterterrorism and security, Trump’s trip emphasized economic development and private sector engagement.
During the US-Saudi investment forum, Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih highlighted the transformation of bilateral ties, stating, âWhile energy remains a cornerstone of our relationship, the scope of Saudi-American business partnerships has expanded dramatically.â
Trump echoed these sentiments, describing Prince Mohammed as a friend and praising the evolving nature of the relationship.
âWe like each other a lot,â Trump said, referring to the Crown Prince.
He added that the investment would lead to significant job creation in the United States and help modernize Saudi Arabia’s economy, aligning with Riyadh’s Vision 2030 reforms.
Trump heads to Qatar, UAE next
Following his engagements in Saudi Arabia, Trump is scheduled to travel to Qatar on Wednesday and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.
The presence of prominent American CEOs and business figures on the trip underlines the administrationâs strategy of leveraging business diplomacy to build strategic alliances and boost foreign investment into the US economy.
Notably, Trump’s decision to bypass Israel on this tour has drawn attention, raising questions about the current administrationâs priorities in the Middle East.
However, White House sources have emphasized that this visit is focused primarily on economic cooperation rather than regional security dynamics.
The $600 billion investment pledge signals not just a deepening of US-Saudi ties, but a broader recalibration of America’s foreign policy in the Gulf region.
As the two nations pivot towards mutual economic growth, job creation, and technology exchange, analysts view this as a landmark moment in US foreign investment diplomacyâone that may define Trump’s legacy in global economic affairs.
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