What's happened
President Trump is engaging in high-level talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, amid reports of a potential real estate deal involving the Trump family in Diriyah. The negotiations highlight ongoing blending of Trump’s diplomatic role and personal business interests, with several Saudi projects linked to the Trump Organization since his return to office.
What's behind the headline?
The convergence of Trump’s diplomatic and business interests in Saudi Arabia signals a significant shift in the norms of governance and foreign policy. The ongoing negotiations for a major real estate deal in Diriyah, involving Dar Global—a key Trump business partner with close ties to the Saudi royal family—illustrate how personal financial interests are increasingly intertwined with international diplomacy. This blurring of lines raises questions about conflicts of interest and the potential influence of private interests on foreign policy decisions. The timing of these negotiations, coinciding with high-profile visits and discussions on military and technological deals, suggests a strategic effort to leverage diplomatic relations for commercial gain. If these deals materialize, they could set a precedent for future administrations, further entrenching the role of personal business in official diplomacy. The involvement of Trump’s family, especially Eric Trump and Jared Kushner, in these negotiations underscores the ongoing risks of conflicts of interest, despite official denials of direct influence on policy. Overall, this situation exemplifies how the Trump era has reshaped expectations around the separation of business and governance, with potential long-term implications for international relations and ethical standards.
What the papers say
The New York Times reports that President Trump will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss security and economic deals, including a potential F-35 sale and nuclear technology transfer. The Times highlights that since his second term began, Trump’s family business has expanded its presence in the Middle East, with several projects in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, including a Trump Tower in Jeddah and a golf course near Doha. The article emphasizes concerns over conflicts of interest, noting that critics argue the blending of diplomacy and business could influence policy decisions. The Times of Israel adds that a deal for a major real estate project in Diriyah is imminent, with Trump’s interest piqued during his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, where he toured the site with Saudi officials and his associates. Both sources underline the close ties between Trump’s business interests and Saudi developments, raising questions about the ethical boundaries of his diplomatic engagements. Critics and observers warn that these overlapping interests threaten the norms of transparent governance, especially as the Trump Organization’s foreign ventures grow more prominent during his presidency.
How we got here
Since his return to office, President Trump has seen his family’s business interests expand in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia. The Trump Organization has announced multiple ventures, including a Trump Tower in Jeddah and a golf course near Doha. These developments follow a state visit in May, during which Saudi officials toured Diriyah, a major development project overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aimed at transforming the historic town into a luxury destination. Critics have raised concerns about conflicts of interest, given the close ties between Trump’s diplomatic engagements and his business dealings.
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Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, colloquially known as MBS, is the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. He is currently serving as the country's deputy prime minister and is also Chairman of the Council for Economic and Development Affairs, Chairman of
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Jared Corey Kushner is an American investor, real-estate developer, and newspaper publisher who is currently senior advisor to his father-in-law, Donald Trump, the President of the United States.