US President Donald Trump is set to travel to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar during a three-day visit to the Gulf region scheduled for next month.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the much-anticipated visit while addressing journalists on Tuesday.
This will mark the US President’s second international trip during his second term, following a planned journey to Rome over the weekend to attend Pope Francis’s funeral.
Donald Trump to tour Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar — The visit is expected to take place from 13 to 16 May, although further information has not yet been disclosed.
Leavitt commented: “The President aims to reinforce the partnerships between the United States and the nations he will be visiting. He will engage in numerous bilateral meetings and discussions.”
The President has previously indicated that he would travel to Saudi Arabia to finalise an investment deal worth USD 1 trillion.
Earlier this year, during a media interaction in the Oval Office, Trump stated: “It might be next month, or possibly a bit later. We’re heading to Qatar as well, and potentially one or two additional countries. The UAE is incredibly significant … so we’ll likely stop in both the UAE and Qatar.”
Reiterating comments made in early March, Trump confirmed that the primary aim of the Saudi visit is to secure an investment package exceeding USD 1 trillion into the US economy, which would include defence-related purchases.
While refraining from offering specific figures, Trump added: “An extraordinary number of jobs will be generated over the course of those two or three days.”
