Trump starts his first state visit of his second term

Donald Trump enjoyed a lavish welcome in Saudi Arabia as he opened the first state visit of his second term, with the US president eyeing major business deals even as progress on the Middle East’s hotspots will likely be harder to reach.

Saudi fighter jets escorted Air Force One as Trump landed in Riyadh, the first stop on a tour of the Gulf that will also take him to Qatar and the UAE.

Trump pounded his fist in the air as he looked out on a military honour guard with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, walking the tarmac to shake the president’s hand.

Trump will address an investment forum in Riyadh, which is expected to be attended by US business leaders, including his friend and adviser, Elon Musk.

His decision to bypass traditional Western allies to travel first to the Gulf states underscores their increasingly crucial geopolitical role — along with his own business relations in the region.

Eight years ago, Trump also chose Saudi Arabia for his first overseas trip as president.