RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump opened his four-day Middle East trip on Tuesday by paying a visit to Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for talks on U.S. efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, end the war in Gaza, hold down oil prices and more.

US President Donald Trump didn’t show up empty-handed on the first international trip of his second term. Joining him in Saudi Arabia were almost three dozen CEOs of America’s biggest companies, including Big Tech giants that signed $600 billion worth of deals.

Mr. Trump has few meetings directly about pressing geopolitical challenges. Instead, he’s in the Persian Gulf to make deals.

President Donald Trump wrapped up the first day of his three-nation tour of the Middle East today in Riyadh. He thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a warm welcome and said the US-Saudi partnership has never been stronger.

Plus: Biden revelations ignite new Democratic divisions{beacon} PRESIDENT TRUMP on Tuesday pushed for a realignment between the U.S. and strategic partners in the Middle East on the first major

Trump is in the Middle East for his first major overseas trip of his second term. Deals are high on his agenda.

President Trump is to receive a Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet “palace in the sky” from the Qatari royal family to replace America’s ageing Air Force One jets. The mile-high gift - the most expensive ever received by a foreign leader - comes after he complained at the decrepit state of the two planes used for his usual presidential flight.

President Donald Trump is in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday as he embarks on the first major international trip of his second term. Follow here for the latest live news updates.

President Trump’s trip to the Middle East next week — visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates — will be focused on obtaining investments for the US, White House