Donald Trump signs 'tremendous' deals with Saudi Arabia

US President Donald Trump arrives in Saudi Arabia. Photo / Getty

President Donald Trump made a splashy debut on the world stage this weekend, ushering in a new era in US-Saudi Arabian relations by signing a joint "strategic vision" that includes a US$110 billion (NZ$159b) in American arms sales and other new investments that the administration said would bring hundreds of thousands of jobs.

"It was a great day," Trump said. He cited "tremendous investments in the United States ... and jobs, jobs, jobs."

While initial details were scant, the agreements signed included a US letter of intent to "support Saudi Arabia's defense needs" with sales of a number of items - naval ships, tanks and other vehicles - that were the subject of agreements under earlier administrations, as well as some new items that had never passed the discussion stage, such as sophisticated THAAD missile defense systems.

Other items are intended to modernize Saudi Arabia's cyber defense and modernize its airborne intelligence-gathering, and secure its borders.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, in a news conference with his Saudi counterpart, described common views on counterterrorism, the threat from Iran and regional security. He outlined "like-minded" goals in the security and economic spheres and said, "we're very proud of this relationship that we are embarking on with the kingdom."

What emerged as a veritable lovefest between the two governments was a marked contrast to years of growing estrangement under President Barack Obama.

"This is the beginning of a turning point in the relationship between the United States and the Arab and Islamic world," Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir proclaimed alongside Tillerson.

Trump's visit, he said, "begins to change the conversation" with the Islamic world "from one of enmity to one of partnership."

Trump was received like visiting royalty from the moment Air Force One touched down in Riyadh Saturday morning, after an all-night flight from Washington, where he hoped to leave behind the growing Russia scandal threatening his presidency.

In a series of official arrival ceremonies - at the airport and the Royal Court palace - Trump, his wife, Melania, and an entourage including virtually his entire senior White House staff and some of his Cabinet, were serenaded by military bands, treated to a flyover of Saudi jets, feted in opulent palaces and given the undivided attention of King Salman, the ruler of this ultra-conservative Muslim nation.

As Trump arrived at Murabba Palace for a royal dinner, hundreds of Saudi men in long, white robes danced the Ardha, a traditional sword dance that is performed on Saudi National Day and in honor of special guests.

Trump, grinning broadly at the festivities, waded in and took a few obligatory dips in the dance. Several of Trump's male aides, along with Salman, participated with more enthusiasm. Tillerson and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross raised swords and linked arms with Saudis, chanting to the beat of feathered drums, while Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon and National Economic Council director Gary Cohn also laughed and swayed.

The ebullient welcome reflected a kingdom eager to rekindle its relationship with the United States, and to use the visit to declare and solidify its own leadership role in the Muslim world.

Jubeir, in the news conference with Tillerson, heaped praise on Trump, saying that the foreign policy novice had the "vision," "strength" and "decisiveness," in the estimation of the Saudi leadership, to bring peace between Israel and Palestine. The minister went on to borrow one of Trump's favorite campaign slogans, saying that a new relationship between America and the Arab world could "drain the swamps from which extremism and terrorism emanates."

In their private talks, Trump and Salman discussed their shared view of the threat from Iran. Asked about Friday's re-election of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Tillerson said he hoped Rouhani would use his term to "begin dismantling Iran's network of terror," stop destabilizing the Middle East, end ballistic missile testing and restore basic rights.

However, there was public silence from the US delegation on the issue of human rights in Saudi Arabia, which has imprisoned peaceful critics of the government and has sharply restricted the rights of women. Ahead of the visit, Trump's advisers said the president did not intend to "lecture" his hosts.

Obama, who sold about US$115b in US weapons to Saudi Arabia during his eight years as president, had slowed military cooperation with the kingdom in large part because of what it considered Saudi Arabia's indiscriminate bombing of civilians in Yemen. The Trump deal puts those agreements back on track and expanded them.

Beyond the closed-door meetings, this desert capital was decked out for a celebration. As Riyadh baked in triple-digit heat under a pall of dust, American and Saudi flags flew from lightpoles. The facade of the Ritz Carlton, the palace-like hotel where Trump is staying, was illuminated with massive photographs of the two leaders and the red, white, blue and green of the two nations' flags.

Salman, 81, who ascended to the Saudi throne in early 2015, was brought in a golf cart to the airport red carpet laid out for Trump's arrival.

The two exchanged greetings as a military brass band played, distant cannons boomed and seven Saudi jets flew overhead in formation, trailing red, white and blue smoke.

"I'm very happy to see you," Salman told Trump, who responded that it was a "great honor" to be visiting the kingdom.

Trump and the first lady - who had her hair uncovered and wore black long sleeves and flared pants, cinched with a wide, metallic gold belt - were presented bouquets of flowers by three traditionally dressed little girls.

Salman's presence at the airport ceremony was a sign of the importance of Trump's visit to the Saudis. Chatting through an interpreter, the men then walked into the VIP reception terminal at King Khalid International Airport for a cup of coffee. Salman rode with Trump in the president's armored Cadillac for the drive into the city.

The only US president to make Saudi Arabia his first foreign visit, Trump was presented with the highest honor for a foreign dignitary, the collar of Abdulaziz al-Saud, named for the kingdom's founder, which Salman hung on a thick gold chain around Trump's neck.

In an ornate reception hall at the Royal Court, members of the US delegation lined up to shake hands with Salman, then took a seat along the periphery of the grand room aside a member of the Saudi delegation.

On the dais with Trump were the first lady, daughter Ivanka and Tillerson. Ross, Priebus, Bannon, and Trump adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner also were there.

Lunch with the king followed. Spirits were high, with Kushner greeting national security adviser H.R. McMaster with a high-five as they then entered the room for a closed-door bilateral discussion.

The official delegations discussed issues including oil, Iran and Syria. Saudi Arabia is part of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State, but relations were strained with Obama over his failure to push for the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with strong support for rebels fighting against him.

During his campaign, Trump indicated he was uninterested in US involvement in Syria's civil war, but as president has spoken out against Assad and last month launched a cruise missile attack against a Syrian government air base.

As they chatted following the award ceremony, Salman was overheard telling Trump that "Syria too used to be one of the most advanced countries. We used to get our professors from Syria. They served our kingdom. Unfortunately, they too brought destruction to their own country. You could destroy a country in mere seconds, but it takes a lot of effort."

On Sunday, Trump will meet with the heads of the six Persian Gulf monarchies of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and an Arab Islamic American Summit of at least 40 nations, primarily from the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Before a royal banquet Saturday night, Trump met with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef, the heir to the Saudi throne, and separately with the Deputy Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, who visited Trump at the White House earlier this spring.

The highlight of Trump's stop in Riyadh is expected to be a speech on Islam that he will deliver Sunday to the larger summit meeting. Though his campaign was marked by harsh anti-Muslim rhetoric, Trump is planning to preach religious tolerance here, inviting the Arab world to join the United States in combating terrorism and evil in the region.

Trump also planned to participate in the inauguration of a new Saudi center to fight radicalism and promote moderation, as well as take part in a Twitter forum with young people.

On Sunday, Melania Trump will make some cultural visits , while Ivanka Trump plans to hold a roundtable session on "women's economic empowerment." The role of women in Saudi society, where they are denied basic rights, is a source of controversy for the monarchy.

On Monday, Trump will travel to Jerusalem for meetings with Israeli officials, as well as a visit with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem, and then to Rome, where he will have a private audience with Pope Francis.

Trump then visits Brussels for a meeting with NATO leaders, including a bilateral session with newly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron, and finally to Sicily, Italy, where he will attend a G7 summit of the United States' closest economic allies.