RIYADH: US President Donald Trump arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday for a state visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking the beginning of his first official tour of the Middle East since taking office.
President Trump was received by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, at King Khalid International Airport, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
A 21-gun salute and trumpet fanfare greeted the president upon his arrival. The Crown Prince and US President then engaged in cordial talks over Saudi coffee.
According to Arab News, the Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s provided an honorary escort for Air Force One as it approached the kingdom’s capital.
Air Force One took off on a journey that will include visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — and possibly talks in Turkiye on the Ukraine war.
CNN reported that the streets of Riyadh were lined with Saudi and American flags, reflecting the ceremonial grandeur of the visit. Later in the day, Trump will take part in a formal arrival ceremony, bilateral meetings, a CEO luncheon, and an agreement signing at the Royal Court.
He is also scheduled to deliver remarks at the US-Saudi Investment Forum, tour the Dir’iyah and At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage sites, and conclude the day with a state dinner hosted by the Crown Prince.
Trump’s Middle East tour, his first since taking office in January, also includes stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
We like each other a lot,’ Trump tells Saudi Crown Prince
We have the first public comments made by Trump speaking alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh. Speaking moments ago, the US president said “a lot of cheques” and “probably two million jobs” in the US were being talked about during this visit.
“Number one, I like visiting with you and we’ve known each other very well, and I really believe we like each other a lot,” he told the Crown Prince.
“Number two,” Trump said, the US had gotten “tremendous” investment and jobs “and we’ll continue to serve your great country very well”.
