Amazon, Google, and Nvidia are among those who struck deals during Trump's visit to the Middle East, his first major overseas trip of his second term.

Or that he effectively auctioned off the first destination on his first major foreign trip, heading to Saudi Arabia because the kingdom was ready to make big investments in U.S. companies.It’s not even that the Trump family has fast-growing business ties in the Middle East that run deep and offer the potential of vast profits.

One of the strategic thrusts of the opening months of Trump’s second terms has been aimed at deepening America’s economic engagement with the leading economies of the Gulf. Thus, the first leg of his trip to the region resulted in a template for deeper US-Saudi ties.

Trump met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and attended a US-Saudi investment forum along with Elon Musk and other top CEOs.

Trump’s first extended overseas trip of his second term will see him talking to leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. He also plans to meet with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi de facto ruler, warmly greeted Trump as he stepped off Air Force One at King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital and kicked off his Middle East tour.

President Donald Trump is in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday as he embarks on the first major international trip of his second term. Follow here for the latest live news updates.

Plus: Biden revelations ignite new Democratic divisions{beacon} PRESIDENT TRUMP on Tuesday pushed for a realignment between the U.S. and strategic partners in the Middle East on the first major

President Donald Trump kicked off his Middle East tour with a visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, vowing a continued partnership between Washington and Riyadh.