Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, May 9: US President Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in the Gulf region on May 13, with high-stakes visits planned to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The trip comes amid regional instability, the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, and strategic discussions over trade, energy, and emerging technologies.
Key discussions will include ceasefire efforts in Gaza, US export policy on advanced semiconductors, and new trade and investment agreements. Trump is also expected to attend a high-profile Saudi-US investment forum in Riyadh, joined by top CEOs from BlackRock, Palantir, Qualcomm, IBM, and Alphabet, along with White House tech advisor David Sacks.
The visit gains added weight following the Trump administration’s announcement to reverse a Biden-era rule restricting advanced AI chip exports, a move welcomed by Gulf states that seek to become global AI hubs. The UAE’s G42 has already taken steps to align with US policy by cutting ties with Chinese firms and securing investment from Microsoft.
Trump’s Gulf allies also hope for a shift in Washington’s nuclear diplomacy. Saudi Arabia is seeking US approval for a civilian nuclear program and may receive support independent of Israeli normalization. Talks with Iran over its nuclear ambitions are ongoing, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia expressing rare support.
Energy markets will also be under the spotlight. Trump is expected to push for increased oil output to stabilize prices, while Saudi Arabia grapples with budget deficits caused by heavy Vision 2030 spending and softer crude revenues. Riyadh is likely to seek further US financial cooperation.
Controversy is already brewing after Trump described Gaza as ‘important real estate’ and reportedly plans to rebrand the Persian Gulf as the ‘Arabian Gulf’ a move that could inflame tensions with Iran.
With major business and diplomatic stakes on the line, Trump’s Gulf visit could reshape regional power dynamics and mark a pivot in US foreign and economic policy.