Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman was
present at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh to see off President
Trump.
Trump’s visit marked his first official overseas trip during
his second term. He was received at the airport on Tuesday morning by the Crown
Prince, and the two leaders held multiple high-level engagements throughout the
visit.
At Al-Yamamah Palace, Trump and the Crown Prince co-chaired
the Saudi–US Summit, where they signed the Strategic Economic Partnership
between the two governments. The summit addressed bilateral relations and
regional security, and resulted in the exchange of numerous agreements and
memoranda across key sectors including defense, energy, justice, health, space,
and scientific research.
The visit also included the US–Gulf Summit, held in Riyadh,
where Gulf leaders and Trump reaffirmed the strength of US–GCC strategic ties.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman noted that trade between GCC countries and the
US reached nearly US$120 billion in 2024, with the US remaining a vital
commercial partner.
In a diplomatic development, Trump announced the full
removal of US sanctions on Syria and began the process of normalizing relations
with the new Syrian government. The announcement followed a trilateral meeting
hosted by the Crown Prince and attended by Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who joined via phone call. The talks
emphasized Syrian sovereignty, stability, and reconstruction.
Al-Sharaa, who assumed office after the fall of Bashar
al-Assad in December 2024, thanked Trump for lifting sanctions, calling it a
pivotal step toward rebuilding Syria. He also expressed gratitude to Saudi
Arabia and Turkey for their diplomatic efforts in support of Syria’s
reintegration.
During the visit, Trump toured Diriyah with the Crown Prince
and learned about the area’s historical significance and future as a global
cultural destination. The president was briefed on Diriyah’s development plan
and praised Saudi Arabia’s transformation.
Trump’s departure follows a series of high-impact meetings and
announcements, solidifying US–Saudi relations, expanding investment and
security cooperation, and opening new diplomatic channels in the Middle East.
Courtesy: Saudi Gazette
