U.S. President Donald Trump has arrived in Riyadh to begin his first major international trip of his second term, aiming to bolster ties with key Middle Eastern allies and project strength as a global dealmaker.

Greeted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the capital’s royal airport, Trump’s arrival signals the start of a strategically significant tour through the Gulf region. The trip will also include stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The U.S. president is expected to headline a U.S.-Saudi investment forum later today, where high-profile business leaders including tech magnate Elon Musk are also scheduled to speak. The forum is anticipated to serve as a platform for deepening economic and defense cooperation between the two nations.

$1.4 Billion Weapons Deal with UAE

In a major policy move ahead of Trump’s arrival, the U.S. announced a $1.4 billion weapons sale to the United Arab Emirates. The package includes advanced defense systems and is part of a broader push to solidify defense and security partnerships in the Gulf.

During the tour, Trump is expected to unveil a series of agreements with Saudi Arabia and the UAE involving investments in artificial intelligence, semiconductor technology, manufacturing, and energy. A large-scale arms deal with Saudi Arabia may also be on the horizon.

Trump’s Middle East visit is being closely watched as a test of his foreign policy influence and economic diplomacy in a region reshaped by shifting alliances, post-war reconstruction, and emerging tech rivalries.