PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: U.S. President Donald J. Trump has signed an economic partnership agreement with Saudi Arabia early in his Middle East tour.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump and Mohammed Bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
📍 Where & When: The agreement was signed at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “President Trump is the dealmaker in chief, and he has once again secured a historic deal that strengthens America’s economic dominance and global influence.” — White House statement.
⚠️ Impact: The agreement secures a $600 billion commitment from Saudi Arabia to invest in the United States.
IN FULL:
U.S. President Donald J. Trump initiated his four-day Middle East tour by signing an economic partnership agreement with Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. The signing ceremony took place at the Royal Court in Riyadh, where President Trump met with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) underscores a commitment to fostering closer economic ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia. According to the White House, the deal has secured $600 billion in investment commitments from the Saudis. Billions of dollars in U.S. exports have been secured, including Boeing 737-8 and gas turbines.
A “defense and security partnership” is a key feature of the deal, with “extensive training and support to build the capacity of the Saudi armed forces” provided alongside nearly $142 billion in “state-of-the-art warfighting equipment and services from over a dozen U.S. defense firms.”
The meeting marks the beginning of Trump’s Middle East tour, which aims to strengthen regional alliances and explore opportunities for cooperation, trade, and investments across various sectors.