Trump: Deals signed in Saudi Arabia ‘lead to tremendous investments’

Deals signed in Saudi Arabia will lead to “hundreds of billions of dollars of investments into the United States and jobs, jobs, jobs,” Trump enthused.

Donald Trump, who received a warm welcome in Saudi Arabia Saturday on his first trip abroad as US president, has agreed to a defense cooperation deal with the Saudis, pledging $110 billion effective immediately and up to $350 billion over 10 years. There are some private sector agreements as well.

These deals, Trump said, will lead to “tremendous investments. Hundreds of billions of dollars of investments into the United States and jobs, jobs, jobs.”

The military package includes tanks, combat ships, missile defense systems, radar and communications, and cybersecurity technology.

Trump was joined by First Lady Melania Trump and several senior White House aides who were interspersed with Saudi officials throughout a grand ballroom.

“I can’t imagine another business day that’s been as good for the United States or for the Kingdom,” Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross stated.

“At one point, senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner was seen high-fiving National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster,” Bloomberg reported.

A centerpiece of Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia is to curb any threats to the region posed by Iran, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said. The significant military and private sector deals agreed to by both sides sends a “strong message to our common enemies,” he stressed.

Trump received the highest civilian honor from Saudi King Salman, who placed the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud around the US leader’s neck at a ceremony at the Royal Court in Riyadh. The host of the event declared that Trump was being honored for “his quest to enhance security and stability in the region and around the world.”

The honor had also been bestowed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama.

Trump is scheduled to land Monday in Israel for a two-day visit that also includes a meeting in Bethlehem with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. He will then fly to Italy to meet with Pope Francis and Italian President Mattarella, followed by a NATO summit in Brussels and back to Italy for a G7 meeting in Sicily.

By: AP and World Israel News Staff

H.R. McMasterJared KushnerKing SalmanSaudi ArabiaUS-Saudi relations