From trillions in trade to a luxury jet: Trump’s high-flying gulf tour

On his first major foreign trip of his second term, U.S. President Donald Trump sought to project a new vision for global stability — one rooted in transactional diplomacy and strategic self-interest.

His four-day swing through Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which concluded Friday, featured billion-dollar deals, high-level meetings, and controversial diplomatic overtures, reports UNB via AP.

Transactional diplomacy in focus

Trump's state visits underscored his preference for business-first diplomacy. Welcomed with pomp and ceremony by Gulf autocrats, Trump touted lucrative defense, aviation, and technology deals. In Qatar, for instance, he celebrated a $96 billion Boeing jet purchase — the largest in the company's history — and suggested the trip had generated "trillions of dollars" in investment, though economic analysts noted this figure was highly inflated.

Trump used his platform to draw a sharp contrast with prior administrations, deriding what he called "lectures" on governance and praising Gulf leaders for their opulence and stability. Speaking at a business forum in Riyadh, he declared, "We're not here to interfere —we're here to partner."

Silence on human rights

Notably absent from Trump's speeches were calls for human rights reforms, a topic historically broached during U.S. presidential visits to the region. Rights groups expressed concern over Trump's silence on political repression and detentions.

"It's absolute support for absolute monarchy," said Saudi exile Abdullah Alaoudh, whose father — a prominent cleric — remains jailed in the kingdom. While some rights advocates claimed administration officials offered quiet reassurances, there was no public pressure exerted on Gulf leaders regarding human rights.

Diplomatic gamble on Syria

In a dramatic policy shift, Trump moved to recognise Syria's interim government led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former militant leader who once had a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head. Just weeks earlier, the administration had expressed doubt about his legitimacy. However, citing encouragement from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump announced the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria and met al-Sharaa in a symbolic gesture.

"He's a young, attractive guy with a very strong past," Trump said of al-Sharaa.

Ukraine and Gaza: Limited progress

While Trump used the tour to push for progress in global conflicts, his efforts were largely symbolic. Russian President Vladimir Putin declined a proposed face-to-face meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, despite Trump's lobbying.

On Gaza, Trump offered little beyond a vague reference to a potential "freedom zone," a concept widely rejected by Palestinians and Arab leaders. Amid escalating Israeli airstrikes, he acknowledged the worsening humanitarian crisis, saying, "A lot of people are starving. A lot of bad things are going on."

Ethics and influence scrutiny

Trump's Middle East tour also reignited scrutiny over his business interests in the region. Critics raised concerns over possible conflicts of interest, pointing to Trump family branding deals across the Gulf and a controversial $2 billion cryptocurrency investment linked to a Trump-aligned stablecoin.

Trump brushed off the allegations, including questions about his acceptance of a $400 million luxury aircraft from Qatar for presidential use.

"Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions when they can get it for FREE?" he posted on his social media platform.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed concerns as "frankly ridiculous," insisting there is no conflict between Trump's public role and his family's private ventures.

Looking ahead

As Trump wrapped up his tour and returned to Washington to meet his newborn grandson, the broader implications of his visit remain uncertain. While he celebrated economic wins and diplomatic breakthroughs, the trip also highlighted persistent challenges — from unresolved wars to ethical concerns — that continue to define his presidency's foreign policy outlook.