President Trump plans to visit Saudi Arabia to secure a major investment deal, seeking $1 trillion for U.S. companies over four years. This visit aligns with ongoing U.S. diplomatic efforts related to Russia and Ukraine. Trump’s historical ties with Saudi Arabia, including a previous partnership for significant purchases, underscore the visit’s importance.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced plans to visit Saudi Arabia, indicating that his trip will focus on securing a significant investment from the kingdom. This visit is noteworthy as Saudi Arabia has emerged as a crucial location for U.S. diplomacy concerning Russia and Ukraine. While discussing the potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump emphasized that business remains his primary motive for this visit.
Trump stated, “I’m going to Saudi Arabia,” but did not specify a date for the visit. He elaborated on the financial expectations, claiming, “I said, I’ll go if you pay a trillion dollars, $1 trillion to American companies, (spreading) the purchase over a four-year period, of a trillion dollars.” He noted that Saudi Arabia had agreed to this investment plan.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has yet to travel internationally; however, he previously made Saudi Arabia his first foreign destination after assuming office in 2017. He revealed that he preferred Saudi Arabia over Britain for his initial trip because the Saudi government pledged to purchase $450 billion worth of U.S. goods.
Trump has established robust business relations with Saudi Arabia, highlighted by the announcement of a new Trump Tower in Jeddah. During his previous administration, he notably shielded Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman from repercussions related to the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, justifying it with the significance of U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
Although former President Joe Biden had pledged to isolate the crown prince over human rights issues, his administration eventually engaged with Saudi Arabia, including drafting defense agreements.
In summary, President Trump’s forthcoming visit to Saudi Arabia is primarily driven by the pursuit of a significant investment deal, with discussions about U.S. arms sales intertwined with U.S.-Saudi diplomatic relations. His past business relationships with the kingdom underscore the strategic importance of this visit, particularly in light of recent geopolitical tensions involving Russia and Ukraine.
Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk
