Yes, Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia was historic. He showed himself to be more politically sensible than any US leader in a very long time. Politically, economically, and beyond, it was a visit for the history books- that much is clear from Trump’s statements about the development he witnessed in Saudi Arabia alone.
One could claim that his remarks about Saudi Arabia, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz were his courteous response to the Kingdom’s generous hospitality. However, his words were profound, striking, and consequential.
Trump spoke of a great king, an influential crown prince, and a noble family. He spoke in detail, explaining matters that are rarely presented to the world or by the American public, including his assertion that Saudi Arabia’s transformation stems from within and aligns with its customs and traditions.
He also criticized the American politicians who had tried to impose their vision on the region, taking an approach that Saudi Arabia never accepted. In fact, the Crown Prince had previously stated, in an interview with an American outlet, that he is making changes for the sake of his country, not to please the Americans.
In a notable moment, Trump asked the Crown Prince: “Mohammed, do you sleep at night?” To which the Crown Prince replied: “I try.” “I think he spends all night thinking about how to make his country better,” Trump replied, adding that those who toss and turn at night are the ones who build the land of dreams. He was right.
Trump was realistic in his praise of Saudi efforts. “There are countries that turn deserts into green oases, and others that turn their oases into deserts,” he said as he compared Saudi Arabia and Iran.
This wasn’t about flattery or a mere “PR opportunity” for Saudi Arabia. It was an important visit that involved serious work. Trump made the decision to lift sanctions on Syria, not just those imposed under Bashar al-Assad, but all the sanctions that have been implemented over the past 46 years.
He said that he lifted the sanctions at the request of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reiterating this in interviews. He explained the grounded argument made to him: how could Syria achieve stability and curb Iranian and Russian influence under such sanctions?
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said the Crown Prince had “kept his word,” emphasizing that the Crown Prince is committed to developing his country and supporting regional stability; he is a man with a vision that requires reform, change, stability, and partnership.
Trump came to Saudi Arabia and found a sincere, sensible partner. He showed political realism, for example, by lifting sanctions on Syria. He had previously said, when Russia invaded Ukraine, that President Putin had “taken his eye off the ball” in Syria. That was an accurate assessment.
If Hamas had any political foresight, it too could have benefited from Trump’s rationality. Indeed, it has released an Israeli-American soldier held hostage for him, and Trump even sidelined Netanyahu by not visiting Israel. However, it had no strategic vision.
Trump told Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman: “It’s my fervent hope, wish and even my dream that Saudi Arabia... will soon be joining the Abraham Accords, but you’ll do it in your own time”. In other words, the decision is theirs to make. He also showed sense by extending an olive branch to Iran and vowing it would not acquire nuclear weapons.
Accordingly, this was a historic visit to a great country, as Trump put it to the Crown Prince who is losing sleep over his country’s development and regional stability.
