On May 13, 2025, President Donald Trump arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the beginning of a high-stakes Middle East tour focused on economic cooperation and regional diplomacy. The visit resulted in a series of landmark agreements and policy announcements.
One of the most significant developments was Trump’s declaration that the United States would lift all sanctions on Syria. The move comes after the 2024 overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad and is aimed at supporting the country’s path toward stability and growth. The decision was welcomed by both the Syrian interim government and international bodies, including the United Nations.
In economic terms, Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed agreements totaling $600 billion. These included a record-breaking $142 billion arms deal—the largest in history—along with major investments in energy, infrastructure, and technology.
At a Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum in Riyadh, Trump met with top tech executives including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sam Altman. Key announcements included a $10 billion semiconductor supply project involving U.S. companies Nvidia and AMD, supporting a Saudi AI initiative.
Trump was greeted with a ceremonial welcome and later honored at a state dinner in Diriyah, underscoring the close ties between Washington and Riyadh.
This visit reflects a bold pivot in U.S. foreign policy, emphasizing economic partnerships, technological innovation, and strategic regional alliances.
