By Sayyid Omar
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will be making an official trip to the Middle East in the coming weeks, marking his first foreign visit since assuming office for his second term.
Speaking to the press at the White House, Trump stated that he would visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. He also hinted that other countries might be included in his itinerary but did not provide further details.
"I have a very good relationship with the Middle East," Trump said, adding that his visit would be essential for U.S. investment.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced in January this year that Saudi Arabia plans to invest $600 billion in the U.S. over the next four years.
Trump mentioned that his trip could take place next month or shortly after. He also previously suggested that he might meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin while in Saudi Arabia to discuss peace in Ukraine, although it remains unclear if this meeting is part of the trip he announced on Monday.
During his first term, Trump’s first foreign trip also took him to the Middle East, where he visited Saudi Arabia and Israel in May 2017. Following that, he traveled to Italy and later Belgium to attend a NATO summit.
