Trump to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE to strike new business deals

Trump returns to Gulf states seeking major economic agreements amid regional turmoil over Gaza and Iran.

A fifty-dollar bill is visible in U.S. President Donald Trump's back pocket as he boards Air Force One in Maryland on May 1, 2025. Photo by Saul Loeb/AFP

By Clarisa Sendy and Widya Putri

President Donald Trump will depart on Monday for a high-profile tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, marking the first significant foreign visit of his second term in office. With business deals high on the agenda, the trip also thrusts Trump into the heart of a region grappling with deep geopolitical turmoil—from the ongoing war in Gaza to tensions over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Eight years after his first presidential term began with a symbolic visit to Riyadh—where he famously posed with Saudi and Egyptian leaders around a glowing orb—Trump returns to the Gulf seeking economic opportunities and diplomatic leverage. While the region remains mired in conflict, Trump’s administration is promoting the visit as a "historic return" focused on economic partnerships and regional security.

According to the White House, Trump is expected to strike multi-billion-dollar agreements spanning defense, artificial intelligence, energy, and aviation. “The president looks forward to embarking on his historic return to the Middle East to promote a vision where extremism is defeated and replaced with commerce and cultural exchanges,” said White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt on Friday.

A strategic return to the Gulf

Trump’s decision to prioritize the Gulf—once again bypassing traditional Western allies like the United Kingdom and France—highlights both the increasing global influence of these oil-rich states and the president’s own long-standing business relationships in the region.

“It’s hard for me to escape the idea that President Trump is going to the Gulf because this is his happy place,” said Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “His hosts will be generous, eager to make deals, and unlikely to criticize him. They'll treat his family as business partners, past and future.”

Trump's itinerary includes meetings with leaders from the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. Lavish receptions and military honor guards are expected, alongside discussions aimed at expanding trade and technology cooperation.

Israel-Gaza conflict looms over the trip

Despite the emphasis on business, Trump cannot avoid the shadow of regional conflict. Israel’s war in Gaza, now entering a critical phase, threatens to escalate as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares for a possible full-scale military operation.

Although the United States remains Israel’s closest ally in the region, Trump’s decision to skip Israel during this trip has sparked speculation about tensions between his administration and Netanyahu’s government. Israeli officials have reportedly set the date of Trump’s visit as the deadline for securing a ceasefire with Hamas—before launching what they term the "conquest" of Gaza and the displacement of thousands of Palestinians.

Still, Trump has taken a largely hands-off approach, publicly focusing on diplomacy and humanitarian aid. The White House said it is working with Israeli and Egyptian authorities to implement a U.S.-led plan to deliver food, water and medical supplies into Gaza, which remains under blockade.

Iran and nuclear talks on the agenda

Iran's nuclear program will also be a central concern during Trump’s Gulf tour. The administration confirmed that indirect U.S.-Iran talks will take place in Oman on Sunday, just ahead of Trump's arrival in the region.

The stakes are high, as Tehran continues to enrich uranium beyond previously agreed limits and tensions rise across the Persian Gulf. Adding fuel to the fire, Trump has teased the possibility of changing the U.S. government's terminology for the region—from “Persian Gulf” to “Gulf of Arabia”—a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Iranian officials.

“Changing the name is a provocation,” said a senior Iranian diplomat. “This trip could escalate tensions at a moment when diplomacy is desperately needed.”

Economic deals and private interests

Though the White House insists the trip is focused on national interests, Trump’s personal and family business ventures in the Gulf are also drawing attention. In April, the Trump Organization announced a new luxury real estate deal in Qatar and revealed plans for a billion-dollar skyscraper in Dubai—complete with cryptocurrency-based purchases.

At the same time, Trump’s sons, Eric and Don Jr., are actively promoting business interests in the region. Eric Trump recently partnered with a digital asset firm in Dubai, while Donald Trump Jr. is scheduled to speak at a Doha investment forum under the banner “Monetizing MAGA.”

Critics argue the lines between public policy and private profit remain blurred.

“It’s frankly ridiculous that anyone... would even suggest that President Trump is doing anything for his own benefit,” Leavitt said, defending the administration’s motives. Still, transparency advocates are concerned. “There’s a pattern here,” said Noah Bookbinder, president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. “From day one, Trump has mixed business and politics in ways that raise serious ethical questions.”

Regional influence in a changing world order

Trump’s return to the Gulf also reflects the changing dynamics of global power. Once viewed primarily as energy suppliers, countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE have transformed into diplomatic heavyweights. Qatar has mediated multiple ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel, while Saudi Arabia recently hosted talks related to the Ukraine conflict.

“Trump is coming to the Gulf first because this region has become a geopolitical and financial center of gravity,” said Anna Jacobs, a non-resident fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

During his stay in Riyadh, Trump will reportedly propose a framework for future regional cooperation, including counter-terrorism operations and cross-border infrastructure projects. The initiative aims to build on previous normalization efforts with Israel, although prospects for renewed diplomatic breakthroughs appear slim.

Saudi Arabia has made clear that any potential recognition of Israel will depend on tangible progress toward a Palestinian state—something that appears unlikely in the current climate.

A trip with global implications

Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE underscores the complex interplay between business interests, regional security, and personal diplomacy. While the White House frames the trip as an opportunity to bolster economic ties and counter extremism, it is impossible to ignore the personal stakes and controversial undertones.

The president’s arrival in the Gulf will be met with celebration, deals, and diplomatic fanfare—but also questions about U.S. priorities, transparency, and the long-term consequences of aligning so closely with authoritarian partners.

As the Middle East remains on edge, Trump’s “historic return” could prove to be as consequential—and polarizing—as his first. Whether it results in meaningful agreements or simply more headlines remains to be seen.