President Donald Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to begin an official visit to the Middle East, and revealed plans to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria, explaining that the move is meant to give the embattled nation “an opportunity to achieve greatness.” The decision comes as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to build closer diplomatic relationships with Saudi Arabia and its regional partners.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, widely regarded as Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, hosted Trump in Riyadh with full state honors, including a ceremonial lavender carpet welcome and a state dinner in Dir’iyah. Trump’s address took place at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum, hosted at Riyadh’s King Abdulaziz International Conference Center. The event gathered top business executives, including Elon Musk and representatives from Palantir, Uber, Google, Amazon, and other major firms, alongside Trump’s Cabinet members.
During his address, Trump laid out an optimistic vision for the Middle East, one focused on economic growth, innovation, and business partnerships. He portrayed these goals as a path toward overcoming the region’s longstanding conflicts and divisions. Trump praised the crown prince as “wise beyond his years” and credited his leadership for the kingdom’s rapid modernization, and jokingly said during his address: “Oh, the things I do for the Crown Prince,” directing his comment toward the Crown Prince, who sat in the front row with his arms folded — in what appeared to be a gesture of appreciation. Trump added: “The moment belongs to Syria now, let’s see them rise to the occasion. Look at the progress in Saudi Arabia — truly impressive. Now it’s Syria’s turn. They’re good people, and we’re rooting for them.”
Trump lauded Saudi Arabia’s rapid development, framing it as a model for Middle Eastern progress. He credited the kingdom’s advancements to “homegrown ambition,” rejecting the notion that foreign powers could impose successful governance through external influence: “this remarkable transformation wasn’t delivered by outsiders in expensive suits flying in with lectures. It was built by the people of this region, their vision, and their determination. I imagined a Middle East that leaves behind the scourge of terrorism and extremism — a region that rises to become one of the most prosperous and respected in the world.” Trump again addressed Mohammed bin Salman with a rhetorical question: “Mohammed, do you ever sleep? Or do you stay up at night thinking, ‘How can I make it even better?’”
The light-hearted exchange followed the announcement of a sweeping $600 billion investment agreement between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. The landmark deal was described by the White House as “the largest defense sales agreement in history.”
The investment package, which includes significant defense and technology components, highlights the Trump administration’s strategic focus on fortifying ties with Riyadh. Among the agreements signed were initiatives to enhance judicial cooperation between the U.S. Department of Justice and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Justice, defense modernization efforts coordinated with the Pentagon, and expanded partnerships between Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior and the FBI. The deal also features extensive training programs for the Saudi military and billions of dollars in investments in American data infrastructure.
Trump’s visit also spotlighted his personal business connections to Saudi Arabia. The Trump Organization has announced plans for real estate projects in Jeddah and Riyadh, further cementing business interests alongside diplomatic engagements. At the investment forum, Trump touted Riyadh’s emergence as a global hub for business, technology, and culture. “Riyadh is not just the seat of government anymore — it’s becoming a capital of innovation and commerce for the entire world.”
Following bilateral meetings with Crown Prince Mohammed, Trump participated in a business luncheon and held private discussions on regional security, energy markets, and efforts to revive nuclear negotiations with Iran. Later this week, Trump is scheduled to continue his Middle East tour with visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
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