Trump begins Gulf tour in Saudi Arabia with eye on legacy and deals

A modern diplomatic ritual returns to the Gulf.

U.S. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump (second from right), Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz (second from left), and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (left) place their hands on an illuminated globe during the inauguration of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 21, 2017. Photo by Bandar Algaloud/Anadolu

By Clarisa Sendy and Anna Fadiah

President Donald Trump is set to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, marking the start of his first foreign trip during his second term in office. The visit to Riyadh, followed by stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, mirrors the path he charted in 2017 and revives a tradition among US leaders to prioritize ties with the oil-rich Gulf region.

Trump’s decision to make Saudi Arabia his first foreign destination once again underscores the strategic and economic weight Riyadh holds for Washington. The focus of this journey, according to White House officials, includes securing multibillion-dollar arms and energy deals, reaffirming security commitments, and building on decades of diplomatic relations.

But the visit also reflects Trump’s desire to cement his legacy in the Middle East — one that combines showmanship with deal-making, history with ambition.

A history of US presidents and Saudi Arabia

Trump visits Saudi Arabia at a time when the relationship between the two nations stands on a well-trodden path shaped by generations of American presidents. From wartime meetings on naval ships to billion-dollar deals and awkward diplomatic encounters, the Saudi-American relationship has endured and evolved across the decades.

The Suez handshake that started it all

The foundation of the US-Saudi alliance can be traced back to a crucial meeting between King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud and President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 14, 1945. Aboard the USS Quincy in Egypt's Suez Canal, the two leaders forged a pivotal understanding: Saudi Arabia would offer the United States privileged access to its vast oil resources, while Washington would provide security guarantees to the fledgling kingdom.

This handshake laid the groundwork for a relationship that would come to define America’s posture in the Middle East.

Nixon’s petrodollar pact

Nearly three decades later, President Richard Nixon became the first sitting US president to visit Saudi Arabia. Landing in Jeddah in June 1974, Nixon’s trip followed the establishment of the petrodollar system, in which Saudi Arabia agreed to price oil sales exclusively in US dollars. In return, the United States provided military and economic support.

This agreement not only reinforced bilateral ties but also elevated the US dollar’s position as the global reserve currency, setting the stage for enduring American economic influence.

Bush and Desert Storm diplomacy

President George H.W. Bush’s visit in 1990 came at a moment of international crisis. Following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia became a key staging ground for the US-led coalition that would go on to execute Operation Desert Storm. Bush met with King Fahd and Kuwaiti leaders, and also addressed American troops deployed in eastern Saudi Arabia, demonstrating the kingdom’s vital role in US military strategy in the region.

Obama’s frosty farewell

President Barack Obama visited Saudi Arabia four times, but his final trip in April 2016 was notably tense. After striking a nuclear deal with Iran — Saudi Arabia’s regional rival — Obama was greeted at the airport not by King Salman but by the lesser-ranking governor of Riyadh. Saudi television declined to broadcast the arrival live.

This diplomatic cold shoulder reflected Riyadh’s discontent with Obama’s Middle East policy, especially its perceived shift toward Tehran.

Trump’s glowing orb moment and billion-dollar deals

In 2017, during his first term, Donald Trump chose Saudi Arabia as the inaugural stop of his foreign diplomacy. The reception was extravagant: a military flyover, a cannon salute, and a gold medal were presented to the US leader. Trump participated in a traditional sword dance and stood with King Salman and Egypt’s president over a glowing orb — a surreal image that went viral globally.

More importantly, the visit resulted in signed agreements totaling $460 billion, including $110 billion in arms deals. Trump lauded the visit as a cornerstone of a new era in regional cooperation and economic partnership.

Though initially hailed as a diplomatic triumph, cracks later appeared in the relationship. After Iran-backed Huthi rebels struck Saudi oil facilities in 2019, Riyadh was disappointed by Washington’s muted response — a contrast to the security guarantees forged decades earlier.

Biden’s uneasy balancing act

In contrast to his predecessor, President Joe Biden’s relationship with Saudi Arabia began with public rebuke. As a candidate, Biden vowed to make the kingdom a “pariah” over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and in 2021 declassified intelligence that implicated Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the operation.

Yet, geopolitics forced a recalibration. With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggering an energy crisis, Biden sought Riyadh’s cooperation to lower oil prices. His 2022 visit included a now-infamous fist bump with the crown prince — a viral moment that highlighted the tension between principles and pragmatism in American foreign policy.

Trump's current return: Deals, diplomacy, and history

Trump visits Saudi Arabia now with a clear agenda: secure business deals, reassert US regional leadership, and rejuvenate personal and political ties with Gulf monarchies. The trip will also serve as a symbolic bridge to his earlier presidency, reviving memories of one of his most high-profile diplomatic ventures.

The White House has downplayed suggestions that Trump’s visit serves personal or business interests, despite recent developments. The Trump Organization recently unveiled a luxury real estate project in Qatar and a major crypto-friendly skyscraper venture in Dubai. Trump's sons have also been active in the region, attending business forums and promoting ventures under the "Monetizing MAGA" banner.

Still, the official line insists that the trip is strictly presidential.

“The president is focused on advancing US interests abroad, especially in fostering partnerships that support peace, security, and prosperity in the Middle East,” said White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.

A new era or a familiar cycle?

As Trump lands in Riyadh, regional challenges await. The ongoing war in Gaza, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and tensions over Israel’s actions remain urgent issues. Unlike in 2017, Trump is unlikely to push for Saudi normalization with Israel during this visit, as Riyadh continues to insist on meaningful progress toward Palestinian statehood.

The agenda is filled with meetings, including a summit with Gulf Cooperation Council leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman. Notably absent from Trump’s itinerary is Israel — once a central focus of his Abraham Accords strategy — suggesting a shift in diplomatic priorities.

Still, in many ways, this trip is not just about foreign policy. It’s about legacy, optics, and the continuation of a carefully cultivated image of leadership on the global stage.

As Trump visits Saudi Arabia once again, the glowing orb may be gone, but the spotlight remains.