U.S. President Donald Trump kicked off his Gulf tour with a high-profile visit to Saudi Arabia, securing a major strategic economic agreement and pledging deep investment ties between the two nations.
U.S. President Donald Trump began his Gulf tour on Tuesday with a ceremonial welcome in Saudi Arabia, where he signed a wide-ranging strategic economic agreement with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The deal, announced during the Riyadh Summit, covers energy, defence, mining, and other key sectors, and is intended to deepen bilateral cooperation as the kingdom pursues economic diversification under Vision 2030.
Saudi state media said the agreement was accompanied by a separate Strategic Economic Partnership Document. The White House confirmed that the kingdom had pledged to invest $600 billion in the United States, including what officials described as the largest-ever defence sales package between the two allies—worth nearly $142 billion.
"I really believe we like each other a lot," Trump remarked during talks with Prince Mohammed, whom he called a friend. The two leaders also participated in the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum, where the crown prince hosted a lunch attended by high-level U.S. business figures such as Elon Musk, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Blackstone’s Stephen Schwarzman, and OpenAI’s Sam Altman.
Trump joked that the $600 billion pledge could grow to $1 trillion, echoing comments he made during his 2017 trip to Riyadh, and noted the investment would generate jobs in the United States.
Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih opened the forum by highlighting the shift from oil dependency to innovation, particularly in frontier technologies. NEOM’s Deputy CEO Rayan Fayez said most of the $1 billion in tech-focused Saudi investment has gone to U.S. firms.
Despite its scale, the event notably did not include a stop in Israel, prompting speculation about changing regional priorities. Israeli officials have expressed concern, especially as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces pressure from Washington to accept a ceasefire and consider a two-state solution amid the ongoing Gaza war.
Meanwhile, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff said efforts to expand the Abraham Accords were ongoing, though sources say progress with Saudi Arabia is unlikely under the current Israeli stance. Trump is also expected to offer Riyadh an arms package exceeding $100 billion, further cementing defence ties with the kingdom.
Separately, U.S. and Iranian officials met in Oman to discuss Tehran’s nuclear programme, with Trump maintaining the possibility of military action if talks fail. Israeli operations against Hamas and Hezbollah, and the targeted killings of their leaders, have increased pressure on Iran, giving Trump added diplomatic leverage.
Sweden announced Tuesday it will propose that the European Union to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), aiming to create the world’s largest free trade area.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a joint call with top European and Ukrainian diplomats to discuss steps toward a ceasefire and lasting peace in Ukraine, according to the State Department.
A lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs could bring the trade war to a halt as early as this month, depending on a decision by the U.S. Court of International Trade.
President Donald Trump signed a new executive order aimed at aligning U.S. drug prices with those of other countries by removing private-sector middlemen from the system. While the move caused a drop in stocks, it promises significant changes for the pharmaceutical industry.
President Donald Trump said he may attend the upcoming Russia-Ukraine meeting in Türkiye, depending on his schedule.
Sweden announced Tuesday it will propose that the European Union to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), aiming to create the world’s largest free trade area.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has secured a historic fourth term, with his Socialist Party winning the majority in Sunday’s election despite opposition allegations of irregularities.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Ankara on Tuesday, just ahead of a pivotal two-day informal meeting of the alliance’s foreign ministers in Antalya, which will focus on European security and preparations for the upcoming NATO summit.
Two senior US envoys are expected to attend the upcoming Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, where Ukraine's President Zelenskyy has confirmed his participation and invited Russia’s Vladimir Putin, according to US media reports.
Nissan Motor announced major cost-cutting measures, including the elimination of 11,000 additional jobs and reduced production, as the automaker faces declining profits and tough market conditions.
India has fired a series of missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, in what it has described as “Operation Sindoor”
For the first time in history, an American has been chosen to lead the Catholic Church, as Cardinal Robert Prevost is named pope.
A Rafale fighter jet operated by the Indian Air Force has reportedly been shot down for the first time in combat, according to sources cited by CNN, marking a significant and symbolic development in the ongoing escalation between India and Pakistan.
Pope Leo XIV made a surprise visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano. AnewZ covered the event, with journalist Maria Rodriguez Abalde on-site. She witnessed the occasion firsthand and documented key moments. More images and footage will be available soon.
Sweden announced Tuesday it will propose that the European Union to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), aiming to create the world’s largest free trade area.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has secured a historic fourth term, with his Socialist Party winning the majority in Sunday’s election despite opposition allegations of irregularities.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Ankara on Tuesday, just ahead of a pivotal two-day informal meeting of the alliance’s foreign ministers in Antalya, which will focus on European security and preparations for the upcoming NATO summit.
Two senior US envoys are expected to attend the upcoming Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, where Ukraine's President Zelenskyy has confirmed his participation and invited Russia’s Vladimir Putin, according to US media reports.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin would be essential for reaching a ceasefire, ahead of proposed talks in Istanbul later this week.
Sweden announced Tuesday it will propose that the European Union to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), aiming to create the world’s largest free trade area.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has secured a historic fourth term, with his Socialist Party winning the majority in Sunday’s election despite opposition allegations of irregularities.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Ankara on Tuesday, just ahead of a pivotal two-day informal meeting of the alliance’s foreign ministers in Antalya, which will focus on European security and preparations for the upcoming NATO summit.
Two senior US envoys are expected to attend the upcoming Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, where Ukraine's President Zelenskyy has confirmed his participation and invited Russia’s Vladimir Putin, according to US media reports.
Nissan Motor announced major cost-cutting measures, including the elimination of 11,000 additional jobs and reduced production, as the automaker faces declining profits and tough market conditions.
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