Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — US President Donald Trump's talks with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar will focus mainly on regional security, defense, energy, and investment issues, according to US State Department's Regional Spokesperson Sam Werberg.

Trump will review with the Gulf leaders the ongoing cooperation to address common challenges. Reports showed that the talks will focus heavily on business deals rather than geopolitics. His tight focus on business deals and investments is expected to boost him with his base back home.

Trump is scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, May 13, on the first leg of his three-nation Gulf tour, the first ever international tour after assuming presidency in January this year. Trump made an impromptu overnight trip to Italy last month for the funeral of Pope Francis, but the Middle East visit was planned as the first international trip of his second term.

The US State Department said that Trump's visit to the region demonstrates the importance America places on its strategic relationships with its partners in the Middle East.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “President Trump will return to re-emphasize his continued vision for a proud, prosperous and successful Middle East where the United States and Middle Eastern nations are in cooperative relationship and where extremism is defeated in place of commerce and cultural exchanges."