TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Donald Trump’s first trip to the Middle East since being re-elected as President of the United States resulted in several high-value business agreements with key Gulf nations.
Starting on May 13, 2025, Trump visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. During the visit, the U.S. finalized multiple deals with these oil-rich countries, highlighting strong economic and defense partnerships.
US$142 Billion Weapons Deal with Saudi Arabia
On May 13, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark defense agreement valued at US$142 billion, or approximately Rp2.346 trillion.
"The United States and Saudi Arabia signed the largest defense sales agreement in history—nearly $142 billion, providing Saudi Arabia with state-of-the-art warfighting equipment and services from over a dozen U.S. defense firms," the White House announced on Tuesday.
The agreement covers advanced equipment for the Saudi air force, space and missile defense systems, maritime and coastal security upgrades, enhanced border surveillance, and modernized communications infrastructure.
At the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum in Riyadh, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirmed the importance of U.S.-Saudi ties and emphasized the role of joint ventures in supporting the kingdom’s Vision 2030 reforms.
"The U.S. is a major destination for the Public Investment Fund, accounting for approximately 40 percent of the fund's global investments," he said, as quoted by Arab News.
He also noted that the partnership extends beyond economic cooperation to joint efforts for regional and global peace.
Qatari Royal Family Gifts Trump Boeing 747-8 Jet
The Qatari royal family reportedly gifted Trump a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet, estimated at $400 million. The move comes as Trump awaits the delivery of two new aircraft set to replace the current Air Force One fleet.
Trump has long voiced dissatisfaction with the aging Boeing 747-200B, in service since the George H. W. Bush era. Earlier this year, he criticized delays in the delivery of the upgraded jets.
In February, Trump personally inspected the Qatar 747-8 jet at Palm Beach International Airport near his Mar-a-Lago resort. According to the White House, the visit was aimed at studying its configuration to refine the new Air Force One design.
Trump Urges Syria to Normalize Ties with Israel
In Riyadh on May 14, Trump held a brief meeting with Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa. According to reports from the White House and Saudi media cited by Anadolu, Trump used the meeting to advocate for Syria’s reconciliation with Israel.
He encouraged al-Sharaa to join the Abraham Accords and demanded the withdrawal of all foreign militant groups from Syrian territory. The meeting followed the U.S. decision to lift sanctions on Syria, which Trump said was intended to help the country rebuild and thrive.
$1.2 Trillion Economic Agreement with Qatar
Trump’s visit to Qatar concluded with a “historic” economic deal worth $1.2 trillion (about Rp19.84 quadrillion), according to a White House statement released Wednesday and quoted by Antara.
The agreement aims to boost innovation, strengthen U.S. manufacturing and technology leadership, and support long-term prosperity. A key component is Qatar Airways’ massive order for aircraft, including a significant number of wide-body and Boeing 787 jets.
The White House called the aircraft purchase one of the largest in Boeing’s history.
Olivia Subandi, Sita Planasari, and Dewi Rina Cahyani contributed to the writing of this article.
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