Trump: First overseas visit will include Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar

US President Donald Trump indicated that his first international visit since returning to the White House will include stops in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, potentially as early as May.

“It could be next month, maybe a little bit later,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “We’re going to Qatar, also, and also we’re going to possibly a couple of other countries. UAE is very important … so we’ll probably stop at UAE and Qatar.”

His remarks align with reports suggesting White House officials are preparing for a mid-May visit to Riyadh aimed at strengthening economic ties.

During his first term in 2017, Trump also chose Saudi Arabia as his initial foreign destination, followed by the Israeli Occupation. However, this time, US officials have confirmed that the Israeli Occupation is not currently part of the itinerary.

The trip appears to center on trade and investment, with Trump highlighting a significant increase in Saudi financial commitments to the US economy. “I view it as jobs more than anything else, and now we’re close to a trillion dollars,” he said. “So it’s more than double the number that we did when I first came to office.”

Earlier this year, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced USD 600 billion in new trade and investment deals with the US Trump suggested the upcoming visit would reinforce economic partnerships, including American firms providing equipment for Saudi Arabia and the broader region. “And for that, I think it’s worth it,” he added.