President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive to the Murabba Palace, escorted by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, Saturday evening, May 20, 2017, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend a banquet in their honor. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)
Hyder G Syed
London
Saudi Arabia has emerged as a pivotal diplomatic hub, hosting high-profile talks on Ukraine as the Trump administration seeks to reshape global alliances. The Kingdom’s growing role signals a significant geopolitical shift, underscoring its ambition to become a central player in international diplomacy.
Saudi Arabia’s Diplomatic Transformation
The decision by Trump’s administration to hold critical Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia highlights how far the Kingdom has evolved from its pariah status following the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has worked strategically to rehabilitate Saudi Arabia’s global image, expanding its influence beyond oil diplomacy into key geopolitical matters.
During the Biden administration, Saudi Arabia pivoted away from its traditional reliance on the U.S., forging stronger ties with China and Russia. However, with Trump’s return to the White House, the Kingdom has resumed its warm relationship with Washington, leveraging its position as a power broker in the Middle East and beyond.
Trump-Saudi Relations: A Transactional Partnership
Trump’s close ties with Saudi Arabia date back to his first term, when his inaugural foreign visit was to the Kingdom. His pragmatic, deal-oriented approach to foreign policy aligns well with Saudi leadership, making the Kingdom a natural choice for high-stakes negotiations.
One of Trump’s key diplomatic goals is brokering a peace agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel, building on the foundation of the Abraham Accords. However, the ongoing war in Gaza has complicated these efforts, raising the stakes for Saudi Arabia’s demands in any peace deal.
Saudi Arabia’s Stance on Gaza and the Two-State Solution
While Trump reportedly proposed a controversial plan to clear out Gaza and transform it into a luxury resort, Saudi Arabia swiftly rejected this idea. Instead, the Kingdom has been working with other Arab states to develop a sustainable alternative—one that would see Gaza rebuilt while maintaining Palestinian sovereignty, aligning with a two-state solution.
The Trump administration’s policies on Gaza and the occupied West Bank appear to be at odds with Saudi Arabia’s approach, setting the stage for complex negotiations in the months ahead.
MBS holds the key to Trump’s broader Middle East ambitions, making their alliance one of the most consequential in global politics today
Why MBS is Crucial for Trump’s Foreign Policy Agenda
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is not just a regional leader; he is a geopolitical kingmaker whose influence extends far beyond the Middle East. For Donald Trump, MBS represents a strategic partner in securing U.S. economic and security interests, particularly in countering China’s growing foothold in the Gulf and stabilizing global oil markets. Saudi Arabia’s vast Public Investment Fund (PIF) has already funneled billions into U.S. technology, infrastructure, and defense industries, making it a key economic ally. Trump, known for his transactional approach to diplomacy, understands that strengthening ties with MBS ensures continued Saudi investment in American industries—something that could bolster his presidency’s economic agenda.
Moreover, MBS is essential for Trump’s Middle East peace strategy, especially in normalizing Saudi-Israel relations. While Trump’s first term saw the historic Abraham Accords, Saudi Arabia remains the crown jewel of normalization efforts—a breakthrough that could redefine regional politics. With MBS’s increasing economic cooperation with Israel, including indirect investments in tech and finance, Trump sees an opportunity to push for a formal Saudi-Israel peace deal, further solidifying his legacy as a global dealmaker. However, for this to happen, Trump will likely need to offer significant political incentives, possibly a renewed U.S. security umbrella for Riyadh or a Palestinian economic development package. In this high-stakes diplomacy, MBS holds the key to Trump’s broader Middle East ambitions, making their alliance one of the most consequential in global politics today.
A Shifting Global Power Balance
Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy is now firmly centered on prioritizing its own interests, even if that means fostering closer ties with U.S. rivals like China and Russia. This shift reflects a broader trend of multipolar diplomacy, where regional powers assert themselves as independent actors rather than mere allies of superpowers.
As Trump’s administration navigates these evolving dynamics, the outcome of his negotiations with Saudi Arabia will shape not only U.S.-Middle East relations but also the future of global diplomacy. One thing remains clear—Saudi Arabia is no longer content with playing a secondary role on the world stage.
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