The president is set to secure major investments, arms deals, and mineral partnerships while addressing Iran tensions and regional energy concerns.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

President Donald Trump is visiting the Middle East from May 13 to 16, with scheduled stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The trip marks his first major foreign engagement of his second term and follows his attendance at Pope Francis’s funeral in the Vatican two weeks earlier.

The president’s agenda is ambitious: to secure unprecedented investment commitments, finalize arms and mineral deals, and address urgent regional security issues, including the Israel–Hamas conflict and Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Trump’s first stop is Riyadh, where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will host him in a grand ceremony echoing the reception Trump received in 2017. That contrast is intentional—underscoring the warmer ties with Trump compared to President Joe Biden’s 2022 visit.

Major Investment Announcements Expected

Trump is expected to unveil a raft of investment deals aimed at boosting the U.S. economy. Saudi Arabia has pledged to invest $600 billion over four years, while the UAE has committed to a $1.4 trillion investment framework targeting American AI, semiconductor, energy, and manufacturing sectors.

Trump will also headline the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum on May 13, bringing together top American and Saudi executives to expand bilateral commerce. Jon Alterman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies predicts “trade and investment deals will be announced that will burnish the president’s image as a negotiator,” particularly in AI and cryptocurrency.

Trump previously teased a trillion-dollar agreement at a Saudi-hosted summit in Miami. While speculation swirled that Qatar might offer him a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet, the White House denied the gift would be accepted during the trip.

Security Priorities: Hamas, Iran, and Oil

Trump’s regional focus includes the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and efforts to formalize diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Though the Saudis remain interested in normalization under the Abraham Accords, they insist on tangible progress toward Palestinian statehood—a demand rejected by Israel’s current government.

“Normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel is becoming distant,” said former U.S. official Joel Rubin, who added that Riyadh’s condition for a two-state solution sets a high bar for progress.

On Iran, Trump will consult with Gulf leaders about growing concerns over Tehran’s nuclear program and its broader regional posture. A fourth round of U.S.–Iran talks recently took place in Oman, with Trump confirming that the U.S. has “not made that decision yet” on whether to permit domestic uranium enrichment in any final deal.

Tehran remains defiant. Iranian Foreign Minister Sayyid Abbas Araghchi has stated the regime will not surrender its “nuclear rights.”

Trump also floated the idea of renaming the Persian Gulf to the “Gulf of Arabia,” stating on May 7, “I don’t know if feelings are going to be hurt,” but that an official announcement could come during the trip.

Energy and Inflation

Lowering oil prices remains a top priority as Trump seeks to tame inflation and cut off revenue streams fueling Russia’s war in Ukraine. Trump has urged Gulf states to boost oil output, and Brent crude recently dropped into the low $60s after Saudi Arabia’s May supply increase.

Despite this success, analysts warn Saudi Arabia’s fiscal break-even price remains around $100 per barrel, casting doubt on how long the kingdom can maintain current production levels without budgetary strain.

Strategic Mineral Pact with Saudi Arabia

One of the most consequential aspects of Trump’s trip may be a new bilateral mining agreement. Saudi Arabia, home to an estimated $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral reserves, has made critical minerals a pillar of its Vision 2030 plan.

Gracelin Baskaran of CSIS said such a deal would represent a “strategic opportunity to expand processing capacity, reduce dependence on China, and bolster long-term supply chain security.” Trump’s administration has made securing rare earths a central national security priority, with similar efforts underway in the Congo and Ukraine.

Just last week, the Saudi cabinet approved preliminary steps toward a formal U.S.-Saudi mining partnership.

Conclusion: High Stakes and Global Implications

Trump’s Middle East visit comes at a pivotal moment, combining economic diplomacy, strategic realignment, and geopolitical tension management. While the trip omits a stop in Israel, its impact may still reverberate across the region—with implications for global markets, U.S. energy security, and long-term alliances in an increasingly multipolar world.