Donald Trump prizes more Gulf investment in the US

Saudi Arabia is investing in construction and infrastructure as it tries to move its economy away from oil

Mr Shihabi says Saudi Arabia will be seeking assurances from the White House that the US will implement a more efficient procurement system, enabling the Gulf state to access ammunition and military equipment far more quickly and easily.

The Trump administration is initiating procedures to facilitate those deals. So, its expected that this process will improve immediately, he adds.

Artificial intelligence is the other topic that will dominate the agenda during Mr Trump‘s visit. Talks are expected to centre on attracting greater Gulf investment into US tech firms, and boosting the region’s access to cutting-edge American semiconductors.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia have been investing billions of dollars into tech and AI sectors as try to diversify their economies away from oil.

The Emiratis, in particular, are keen to establish themselves as a global AI hub.

Last week, the Trump administration scrapped the Biden-era chip regulations that placed restrictions on exports of advanced US chips to more than 120 countries including the Gulf states.

The White House is expected to draft new rules that would potentially involve direct negotiations with countries like the UAE.

For the UAE, this is absolutely essential, says Ms Young. They are aggressively building out their AI capacity. So, for them getting access to US technology is imperative to be the best.

While much attention will be on Trump courting Gulf capital for the US, Saudi Arabia is equally focused on drawing American investment into its ambitious Vision 2030 program.

Led by giant construction projects, such as the building of a linear city called The Line, Vision 2030 is central to the Saudi government‘s continuing efforts to diversify the country’s economy away from oil.

It also involves pouring resources into entertainment, tourism, mining and sports.

However, foreign direct investment into Saudi Arabia declined for a third straight year in 2024, reflecting persistent challenges in attracting overseas capital.

The fall in global oil prices since the start of the year has further strained Riyadhs finances, increasing pressure to either raise debt or cut spending to sustain its development goals.

Oil prices tumbled to a four-year low amid growing concerns that a trade war could dampen global economic growth.

The decline was further fuelled by the group of oil producing nations, Opec+, announcing plans to increase output.

Saudi Arabia is part of that group, and some commentators said that the rise was in part a desire to please Trump, who has called for lower oil prices.

Other analysts said the reason was more that Opec+ remains confident that the global economy is growing.

The US-Saudi Business Council, is an organisation that aims to boost trade ties between the two countries.

It is hoping that Trumps visit will push American businesses to explore more opportunities in Saudi Arabia, especially in sectors like AI, healthcare and education.

The Saudi government is looking heavily to invest in these sectors. There is a very big appetite for Saudi companies to collaborate with American companies, Huthaim Al Jalal, who heads the Riyadh office for the organisation, tells the BBC.

Saudi officials are said to be confident that some deals in these sectors will be secured during Trumps visit.

For Saudi Arabia, Trumps visit is about strengthening ties with their longest-standing Western ally - a relationship that grew strained during the Biden years. For President Trump, it is about landing investment deals that can be framed as a win for his economic agenda.

President Trump is looking for a headline of big investments in America, and he will get that from this trip, adds Mr Shihabi.