President Donald Trump has launched his first international trip of his second term with a strategic tour of the Gulf states, aiming to secure multi-billion dollar investment, trade, and technology agreements. The trip includes stops in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, where Trump will promote his “America First” agenda by targeting sovereign wealth fund investments and energy partnerships.

While economic cooperation is at the forefront, Trump is steering clear of Israel amid escalating global criticism of the ongoing Gaza war. The decision marks a sharp contrast from his previous term’s overtures to Israel and reflects mounting regional frustration over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Gulf nations, especially Saudi Arabia, have made it clear that normalization with Israel hinges on progress toward a two-state solution.

Trump’s priorities also include discussions around oil production, semiconductor exports, and potential U.S. support for Saudi civilian nuclear ambitions. Notably, his administration has decoupled nuclear cooperation from Israeli normalization, signaling a shift in regional diplomacy.

Former envoy Jared Kushner is reprising his role behind the scenes, helping broker talks with Saudi leadership, though questions linger over the administration’s capacity to pursue a coherent regional policy. Many advisors reportedly urge the White House to pivot focus toward Asia, seeing the Middle East as a lower strategic priority.

Trump’s provocative proposal to refer to the “Arabian Gulf” instead of the “Persian Gulf” has further heightened tensions with Iran, even as Gulf states cautiously support U.S. re-engagement on the Iranian nuclear deal. Observers note a lack of cohesive U.S. policy, underscoring the administration’s transactional rather than strategic approach to foreign affairs.