Tesla and SpaceX’s Elon Musk joins American business leaders in a pivotal meeting with President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The Power Players Meet in Riyadh
In a moment that could reshape international business relationships, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, and BlackRock’s Larry Fink were spotted engaging with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Donald Trump during Trump’s inaugural foreign visit of his new term. This gathering took place at the Saudi royal court in Riyadh, marking the beginning of a crucial week for international business.
High-Stakes Business Ventures in the Gulf
Trump’s itinerary is set against a backdrop of economic ambition. The President’s high-stakes tour of the Persian Gulf aims to forge essential business deals with three oil-rich nations: **Saudi Arabia**, **the United Arab Emirates**, and **Qatar**. CEOs lined up for discussions ahead of a sumptuous luncheon, each eager to align their strategies with international objectives and forge ties with top-tier leaders.
Notable Attendees and Significance
The event featured a roster of influential figures, including Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, IBM’s Arvind Krishna, Citigroup’s Jane Fraser, Boeing’s Kelly Ortberg, NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang, and Palantir’s Alex Karp. This array of powerful CEOs reflects the immense potential of collaboration between the United States and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has already committed $600 billion in long-term investments in the U.S., covering a vast range of sectors from weapons procurement to cutting-edge technology and AI. Trump hinted that the Saudi commitment could ultimately reach up to a staggering $1 trillion.
Topics on the Agenda
In addition to lucrative economic agreements, the discussions are poised to address a possible civil nuclear program and enhanced defense collaboration—a narrative echoing previous conversations surrounding a potential normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
On this pivotal day, Trump also headlines the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum alongside Saudi ministers, crypto czar David Sacks, and other industry magnates. Some attending the luncheon, like Musk, Jassy, and Fink, are listed as speakers for this landmark event.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman engaged in discussions in Riyadh.
A Century of Cooperation
The significance of this event extends beyond mere business; it celebrates a nearly century-long partnership between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, which began with a historic meeting between King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud and President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945. Such strategic relationships have been essential for the economic well-being of both nations.
As Trump’s visit continues, he will participate in a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting, followed by discussions in Qatar with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, further solidifying alliances across the region.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk at the royal court in Riyadh. (Reuters/Brian Snyder / Reuters)
