US President Donald Trump is all set to embark on his first foreign trip to Saudi Arabia next month, according to a report. The trip could happen as soon as mid-May.
"Though the initial plan was to visit the Middle Eastern country in April 28, it was later postponed to mid-May and the planning for the same has already begun," Axios quoted two US officials and a source with knowledge of the president's travel.
Trump's choosing Saudi Arabia as his first foreign destination hints at the rapport he shares with the Gulf nations, especially Saudi Arabia, both economically and diplomatically. Riyadh is also the host for the talks between the US and Russian officials on the Ukraine War.
Trump had earlier expressed interest in how he planned to visit Saudi Arabia first. He told reporters in the Oval Office on March 6: "I am going to Saudi Arabia. Normally you would go to the UK first. Last time I went to Saudi Arabia. They put up 450 billion dollars," Trump said. "This time I said I would go if you put up a trillion dollars to American companies. Meaning the purchase over four years of a trillion dollars. They agreed to do that. So I am gonna be going there," he said.
However, the White House has yet to confirm anything, stating that it was exploring the opportunity for the President's international travel but has not fixed anything. "An opportunity for international travel for the President is something that is being looked at. We don't yet have a specific plan, and we will provide that information when it is official," a White House official said.
"Talks will focus on discussing foreign investments, strengthening relationships with Gulf nations and ending conflict in the Middle East," the official said.
However, though the Trump administration has singled out the country as a possible participant in the Abraham Accords, Riyadh is unlikely to commit to any such deal as it insists such a plan must include Palestinian statehood, a non-starter for Israel.