Scoop: Trump to visit Saudi Arabia in May for first foreign trip, sources say

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Source: Axios

11 hours ago


President Trump is planning to travel to Saudi Arabia in mid-May on his first foreign trip since returning to the White House, two U.S. officials and a source with knowledge of the president's travel said.

Why it matters: Trump's decision to go to Saudi Arabia on his first foreign trip signals how close the relationship between the Trump administration and Gulf countries has become, especially when it comes to economic cooperation and investment.

Planning for the trip is taking place as the Trump administration works to resume the ceasefire in Gaza and get Hamas to release more hostages.

U.S. and Israeli officials say at this point plans for a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia have been put on the back burner, in large part because the Saudis want an irreversible time-bound path for establishing a Palestinian state — something the Israeli government doesn't accept.

Flashback: Trump's first foreign trip during his previous term was also to Saudi Arabia at roughly the same time.

Driving the news: Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on March 6 that he would likely visit Saudi Arabia "over the next month and a half."

"I am going to Saudi Arabia. Normally you would go to the UK first. Last time I went to Saudi Arabia. They put up 450 billion dollars," Trump said.

"This time I said I will go if you put up a trillion dollars to American companies. Meaning the purchase over four years of a trillion dollars. They agreed to do that. So I am gonna be going there," he said.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2025/03/30/trump-saudi-arabia-visit-may-first-foreign-trip