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Trump in Middle East for $1 trillion: “Business, business, business”

The U.S. president launches a tour of the Gulf with the goal of closing trillion-dollar economic maxi-agreements. Also on the agenda are weapons, energy and a luxury plane from Qatar

Donald Trump has landed in Saudi Arabia with a clear goal: to return to Washington with trillion-dollar trade deals and investment promises. An Arab official summed up the U.S. president’s mission this way, “Business, business, business.” The visit to the region-which will also touch Qatar and the United Arab Emirates-has a strong economic connotation, with geopolitics in the background.

At the center of talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Mbs.) is a $600 billion Saudi investment maxi-package in the United States over four years. But Trump is aiming higher: “Last time it was 450 billion, now I’ve asked for a thousand,” he said. Also on the agenda is a business forum on technology, artificial intelligence and energy, with the participation of American bigwigs such as Elon Musk, Sam Altman and Mark Zuckerberg.

In addition to civilian investments, agreements are planned for at least $100 billion in military supplies, including missiles, radar and transport aircraft. Facilitating the deal is a recent Trump executive order easing restrictions on arms exports.

Qatar will announce investments of between $200 billion and $300 billion, with a mega-deal with Boeing for commercial aircraft and the purchase of MQ-9 Reaper drones. Finally, the United Arab Emirates has already pledged $1.4 billion over 10 years in the hi-tech and manufacturing sectors.

However, there is no shortage of doubts about the Gulf monarchies’ real ability to mobilize such figures, given the uncertainties over oil prices and Saudi national priorities. “For Trump, the focus remains the economy, but Gaza, Iran and Ukraine are dossiers he will not be able to ignore,” notes Dennis Ross of the Washington Institute.

Finally, reigniting media attention is the case of the Qatari luxury plane, which Doha is reportedly ready to donate to the United States as a new Air Force One. Trump spoke of a “transparent gift,” dismissing criticism from Democrats. Talks are ongoing, Qatar confirmed.

A business trip, then, but with inevitable geopolitical implications.

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