Trump condemns 'interventionalists,' pitches 'more hopeful future' in Middle East speech
President Donald Trump delivered a speech in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he praised the nation's progress toward peace in the Middle East and encouraged a shift toward economic development over conflict. He condemned Western interventionalist policies, advocating for regional unity and focusing on shared interests to foster a promising future in the Middle East. During his visit, Trump signed several significant economic agreements, including a $600 billion trade deal with Saudi Arabia, which is expected to create up to 2 million U.S. jobs. Major investments include a $20 billion commitment to AI data centers and energy infrastructure, alongside an $80 billion investment in transformative technologies by several leading tech companies. The visit also resulted in the largest defense sales agreement in history, valued at nearly $142 billion, providing Saudi Arabia with advanced warfighting equipment and services from U.S. defense firms.
Context:
President Donald Trump delivered a speech in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he praised the nation's progress toward peace in the Middle East and encouraged a shift toward economic development over conflict. He condemned Western interventionalist policies, advocating for regional unity and focusing on shared interests to foster a promising future in the Middle East. During his visit, Trump signed several significant economic agreements, including a $600 billion trade deal with Saudi Arabia, which is expected to create up to 2 million U.S. jobs. Major investments include a $20 billion commitment to AI data centers and energy infrastructure, alongside an $80 billion investment in transformative technologies by several leading tech companies. The visit also resulted in the largest defense sales agreement in history, valued at nearly $142 billion, providing Saudi Arabia with advanced warfighting equipment and services from U.S. defense firms.
Dive Deeper:
President Trump's speech in Riyadh emphasized the importance of peace and economic development in the Middle East, urging the region to move away from Iran's 'self-destructive' path.
Trump criticized Western 'interventionalist' policies that have historically led to disaster in the region, suggesting that the Middle East's progress is due to local leadership rather than external influences.
During his visit, Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed $600 billion in trade agreements, with the potential to generate up to 2 million jobs in the United States.
The agreements included a significant $20 billion investment by Saudi Arabia's DataVolt in AI data centers and energy infrastructure within the U.S., alongside an $80 billion investment in cutting-edge technologies involving companies like Google and Oracle.
A historic $142 billion defense sales agreement was signed, providing Saudi Arabia with advanced military equipment and services, marking the largest defense sales deal in history.
The defense deal includes advancements in air force technology, space capabilities, air and missile defense systems, maritime and coastal security, and modernization of land forces and communication systems.
Trump's visit underscored the strengthening economic and defense ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia, aiming to build enduring partnerships that benefit both nations.