Trump Announces Major Gulf Deals, Policy Shifts

U.S. President Donald Trump has begun his first major overseas trip of his second term with a high-profile visit to Saudi Arabia, where he and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced historic agreements, including a $600 billion Saudi investment in the U.S. and a $142 billion defense partnership. The trip, which also includes visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, demonstrates a deepening of U.S.-Gulf relations and a shift in American foreign policy in the region. Trump announced plans to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria following the fall of the Assad regime and extended an olive branch to Iran. The visit occurs amid significant changes in the Middle East's political landscape. While the deals are seen as transformative, Trump's acceptance of a Qatari plane for official travel has raised legal and ethical concerns. The trip echoes his 2017 tour but reflects new diplomatic and strategic priorities.