Former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed plans for an upcoming tour of the Gulf region, potentially including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Timing: "Possibly next month or shortly after" (as stated at White House press briefing Monday evening)
Tentative Itinerary:
Qatar ("We'll visit Qatar too")
UAE ("Perhaps we'll stop in the UAE")
Saudi Arabia
"Maybe two other countries" (unspecified)
Trump's first foreign trip as president was to Saudi Arabia in May 2017
UAE hosted key Middle East policy moments during his administration
Qatar mediated several Trump-era diplomatic initiatives
Would mark Trump's first private-sector Gulf tour since leaving office
Comes amid [current context, e.g.:
2024 election cycle
Ongoing Gulf business interests
Regional mediation efforts]
"The UAE is very important... We might stop in the UAE and Qatar, then Saudi Arabia, then visit other countries too."
— Donald Trump to White House reporters