Trump arrives in Riyadh hoping to make big deals

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — President Donald Trump landed in Riyadh on Tuesday carrying the weight of his self-styled roles as a dealmaker and a peacemaker, with the wars in Gaza and Ukraine looming over a trip centered around his other, economic-focused ambitions.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — President Donald Trump landed in Riyadh on Tuesday carrying the weight of his self-styled roles as a dealmaker and a peacemaker, with the wars in Gaza and Ukraine looming over a trip centered around his other, economic-focused ambitions.

The visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates emphasizes investment and economic priorities, beginning with a Saudi state visit, a summit of Gulf Cooperation Council leaders and a U.S.-Saudi business summit with executives from major U.S. companies. Before leaving Washington, a proposed gift from Qatar of a luxury plane has also drawn attention, raising questions about compliance with government ethics regulations and potential security concerns — as Trump seeks to highlight the financial value.

“It’s business, business, business,” Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said of the focus on economic interests and dealmaking.