President Trump May Choose Saudi Arabia for His First State Visit

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering Saudi Arabia as the destination for his first state visit, sparking speculation due to his policies and priorities since taking office.

On his first day in office, President Trump stated he would deliberate on visiting Saudi Arabia if the Kingdom demonstrated a commitment to significantly increasing its purchases of American goods. Reflecting on his earlier engagement with the Kingdom, Trump highlighted their agreement to buy $450 billion worth of U.S. products during his previous tenure as a decisive factor.

"If Saudi Arabia wanted to buy another $450 or $500 billion—we’d adjust for inflation—I think I probably would go there," Trump said.

Reports from the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Thursday revealed that Saudi Arabia plans to expand its trade and investment in the United States to at least $600 billion over the next four years. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shared this vision during a phone conversation with President Trump late Wednesday, emphasizing the Kingdom’s interest in forging deeper economic partnerships with the U.S.

The two leaders also discussed mutual efforts to enhance peace, security, and stability in the Middle East, alongside cooperation to combat terrorism.

While Saudi Arabia is a strong contender for Trump’s first visit, another possibility is the United Kingdom, a traditional ally of the United States. A state visit to the UK would reinforce the "special relationship" between the two nations and uphold diplomatic traditions.

President Trump, who took office on Monday, pledged to restore American prestige and rebuild its economic strength. His decision on his first state visit is expected to signal key diplomatic and economic priorities for his administration.