Trump arrives in Saudi for 'historic' three-country visit

Tuesday, 13 May 2025 08:29

By Reuters

US President Donald Trump has arrived in Saudi Arabia, marking his first official foreign visit since taking office in January.

Trump was welcomed by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at King Khalid International Airport.

The leaders exchanged greetings and were served traditional Saudi coffee at a brief reception at the airport lounge, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

According to Al Arabiya News, Trump has described his visit to the Gulf a “historic” trip, noting its significant political and economic implications.

Later on Tuesday, the leaders are scheduled to hold bilateral talks.

HRH the Crown Prince welcomes #US President #Trump upon arrival in Saudi Arabia for a state visit.
#TrumpInKSA #SPAGOV pic.twitter.com/kd1HRiflxi
— SPAENG (@Spa_Eng) May 13, 2025

Trump will first visit Riyadh - where the Saudi-US Investment Forum is taking place - and continue to Qatar on Wednesday and the UAE on Thursday.

Trump's second foreign trip since taking office again - his first was to Rome for Pope Francis' funeral - comes during a moment of geopolitical tension. In addition to pressing for a settlement to the war in Ukraine, the Trump administration will also look to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Apart from Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, business leaders including Tesla CEO and Trump adviser Elon Musk, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser will be part of the delegation.

Trump's second and third stops will be Qatar and the UAE.

Trump has also said he may travel on Thursday to Turkey for potential face-to-face talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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