Behind the gold-plated receptions, and billion-dollar handshakes lay a calculated romance built on arms, oil, and shared enemies.
Obama had kept a cooler distance from Saudi Arabia, criticized their human rights record, and signed the Iran nuclear deal, which Saudi Arabia deeply opposed. The astounding welcome Trump received signaled that they have a friend back in the White House.
The viral sight of Trump swinging a sword next to royal’s symbolized unity, honor, and welcome to his tribe. Well, we all know how clannish our Arab brothers are. His blunt stance about being strictly business, business, and business was an acoustic balm to the spirit of Gulf leaders.
The awarding of the Collar of Abdul-Aziz Al Saud to Donald Trump — Saudis weren’t just giving Trump an award to be polite — they were showing that they saw him as a key partner, someone who shared their interests in security, business, and power in the region.
Trump didn’t pressure Arabs with democracy. He was pretty transparent: you buy weapons, we stay friends.
Trump and his team stayed at the fancy Ritz-Carlton hotel, which was specially decorated for their visit. They enjoyed big dinners, beautiful decorations, and traditional performances that made the welcome extra special.
King Salman personally greeted Trump at the airport — a rare gesture that underscored the importance Saudi Arabia placed on their relationship with the new U.S. president.
The Arab Islamic American Summit gathered leaders from fifty-plus Muslim countries, aimed to strengthen ties of the U.S. and Arab world.
Last but not the least:
A cool $110 billion in arms deals — plus nearly $350 billion in total investments — wasn’t just headline candy; it was Trump flexing job-boosting power both in the U.S. and the Middle East.
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