DONALD Trump has landed in Riyadh to kickstart the first leg of his three-nation visit to the Middle East this week.
Don was seen getting out of his Air Force One before receiving a grand welcome from Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
President Donald Trump speaks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during an arrival ceremony at the Royal Terminal of King Khalid International Airport[/caption]
Trump walking down the purple carpet[/caption]
Air Force One carrying U.S. President Donald Trump lands at Khalid International Airport in Riyadh[/caption]
The crown prince is expected to fete Trump with a formal dinner and a gathering of members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Expected countries at the dinner will include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Trump is expected to discuss Iran’s nuclear program, end the war in Gaza, hold down oil prices and more during his time in the Middle East.
Securing new investments in the US from Gulf states will be a key focus for the president after disrupting world trade with his brutal tariffs.
It comes after Trump accepted a luxury plane dubbed the “flying palace” as a gift from Qatar’s royal family.
This elaborate gift, which was expected to be announced this week, could be the most expensive ever given by a foreign power to the United States.
The $400 million (£300 million) jumbo jet will be available to be used as a new “Air Force One” for much of Trump’s remaining term in office.”
After this, it would be transferred Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029, according to US media reports.
The gift was expected to be announced this week during the president’s visit to Qatar, but Trump appeared to confirm it on social media.
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 Zelensky.
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, his administration is pushing for a new aid mechanism for war-torn Gaza and urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree a new ceasefire deal there.
Over the weekend, US and Iranian negotiators met in Oman to discuss a potential deal to curb Tehran’s nuclear program. Trump has threatened military action against Iran if diplomacy fails.
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