Aya Batraoui

So the crown prince told Trump he would get at least $600 billion in Saudi investments into the U.S. over the next four years. And the bulk of this is in defense and weapons sales to the kingdom. But it also includes deals in tech and AI. Now, Trump brought with him to Riyadh America's top CEOs from companies like Google, Amazon, NVIDIA, Boeing.

And they lined up to greet Trump and the crown prince in a lavish reception. The handshakes show just how pivotal Trump is to the crown prince's relaunch. You know, it was only seven years ago that the world turned its back on him after the murder of Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi by his men inside the Saudi consulate in Turkey.

And they lined up to greet Trump and the crown prince in a lavish reception. The handshakes show just how pivotal Trump is to the crown prince's relaunch. You know, it was only seven years ago that the world turned its back on him after the murder of Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi by his men inside the Saudi consulate in Turkey.

And they lined up to greet Trump and the crown prince in a lavish reception. The handshakes show just how pivotal Trump is to the crown prince's relaunch. You know, it was only seven years ago that the world turned its back on him after the murder of Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi by his men inside the Saudi consulate in Turkey.

I think the trip is going to focus on two things. First, it'll be Qatar's unique role in the region as host to the biggest number of U.S. troops in the Middle East, but also as a host to groups the U.S. doesn't traditionally talk to, like Hamas, which the Trump administration is directly negotiating with that led to the release of a U.S.-Israeli soldier and hostage on Monday.

I think the trip is going to focus on two things. First, it'll be Qatar's unique role in the region as host to the biggest number of U.S. troops in the Middle East, but also as a host to groups the U.S. doesn't traditionally talk to, like Hamas, which the Trump administration is directly negotiating with that led to the release of a U.S.-Israeli soldier and hostage on Monday.

I think the trip is going to focus on two things. First, it'll be Qatar's unique role in the region as host to the biggest number of U.S. troops in the Middle East, but also as a host to groups the U.S. doesn't traditionally talk to, like Hamas, which the Trump administration is directly negotiating with that led to the release of a U.S.-Israeli soldier and hostage on Monday.

So we might hear surprises from Trump in Qatar later today about his vision for a Gaza ceasefire.

So we might hear surprises from Trump in Qatar later today about his vision for a Gaza ceasefire.

So we might hear surprises from Trump in Qatar later today about his vision for a Gaza ceasefire.

Trump was greeted on the tarmac as he stepped off Air Force One by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. State TV showed them shaking hands as Saudi soldiers stood guard and the two leaders walked on a long lavender carpet flanked by American and Saudi flags. The relationship between Saudi Arabia and the U.S.

Trump was greeted on the tarmac as he stepped off Air Force One by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. State TV showed them shaking hands as Saudi soldiers stood guard and the two leaders walked on a long lavender carpet flanked by American and Saudi flags. The relationship between Saudi Arabia and the U.S.

under Trump is stronger than it was under President Biden, who only fist bumped the crown prince when he visited the kingdom. Trump, though, is here to make deals. Tens of billions of dollars in military and weapons sales to the kingdom are expected to be announced during the trip.

under Trump is stronger than it was under President Biden, who only fist bumped the crown prince when he visited the kingdom. Trump, though, is here to make deals. Tens of billions of dollars in military and weapons sales to the kingdom are expected to be announced during the trip.

Trump's traveling with several members of his cabinet, and American CEOs of major companies are in Riyadh for an investment forum today. Trump heads next to Qatar and the UAE. Aya Patrawi, NPR News, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Trump's traveling with several members of his cabinet, and American CEOs of major companies are in Riyadh for an investment forum today. Trump heads next to Qatar and the UAE. Aya Patrawi, NPR News, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

So tell us what's happening in Saudi Arabia, where you are today. So it began with Trump's arrival. You know, he was greeted on the tarmac by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. And that's in contrast with Biden's visit here when they only fist bumped and the Crown Prince didn't even go out of his way to meet, you know, the president back then at the tarmac. Now, Trump is different.

So tell us what's happening in Saudi Arabia, where you are today. So it began with Trump's arrival. You know, he was greeted on the tarmac by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. And that's in contrast with Biden's visit here when they only fist bumped and the Crown Prince didn't even go out of his way to meet, you know, the president back then at the tarmac. Now, Trump is different.

So tell us what's happening in Saudi Arabia, where you are today. So it began with Trump's arrival. You know, he was greeted on the tarmac by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. And that's in contrast with Biden's visit here when they only fist bumped and the Crown Prince didn't even go out of his way to meet, you know, the president back then at the tarmac. Now, Trump is different.

You know, he's transactional. And what that means for the Gulf and Gulf leaders here is that they know that if they deliver on big weapons purchases and other investments in the U.S., Trump will give them something in return for their security. Ali Shahabi, a Saudi analyst, says there are huge economic interests on both sides.