Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Doug Mills/The New York TimesBelow, Michael Shear, a Times correspondent, explores Trump’s relationship with Saudi Arabia.
Trump is visiting the Gulf and meeting with leaders across the region. It has so far been a friendly trip: Trump has shown a chumminess, even infatuation, with his counterparts in the Saudi royal family. Here are three reasons Trump seems to love Saudi Arabia:
Gold, everywhere: I was in the group of reporters who traveled with Trump on his first trip to Saudi Arabia as president in 2017. The opulence was overwhelming. But it was clear that Trump, who has a famous preference for gilded architecture, loved it.
This trip appears to be the same. As my colleagues wrote: “With its giant crystal chandeliers, polished marble, plush carpets and prominently displayed portraits of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi Royal Court had the feel of a Mar-a-Lago East.”
Business deals: Trump’s trip to Riyadh is, essentially, one big boardroom meeting. The president has also proved over the years that he appreciates — maybe even envies — strong leaders who have few constraints on the exercise of power. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, certainly qualifies.
Money: Finally, there is Saudi’s vast wealth, which comes largely from oil. In his speech yesterday, Trump bragged about the American economy, calling it the “hottest country” in the world. Then he stopped himself, looked at the crown prince, and laughed. “With the exception of your country,” he said. “You’re hotter. At least as long as I’m up here, you’re hotter.”
On Trump’s agenda today
Syria: Trump met with the Syrian president today, for the first time. It’s a remarkable rise for the leader of the rebel uprising that ousted Bashar al-Assad. Trump said the U.S. would lift sanctions on Syria.
Iran: Trump said he wants a nuclear deal with Iran. Instead of dismantling its nuclear program, Iran has proposed a joint nuclear-enrichment venture involving Arab countries and U.S. investments.
Israel: The president won’t meet with Benjamin Netanyahu on this trip, signaling a growing rift.
War in Ukraine: The president said he would also consider joining a potential meeting this week between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky arrived, but Vladimir Putin is a no-show. Refusing to meet Zelensky, the Russian leader sent a junior team to Istanbul for the talks, ignoring the Ukrainian president’s call to meet for direct high-level talks, Whether talks between the warring nations will occur at all is uncertain.