President Trump hosts top U.S. CEOs in Saudi Arabia, securing $600B investments and discussing trade policies. Key companies like Tesla, Boeing, and A
Over 30 corporate leaders, including Elon Musk, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, and Boeing’s Kelly Ortberg, join presidential lunch to align business interests with Trump’s “America First” agenda.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — President Donald Trump’s Middle East tour took a strategic turn Tuesday as he convened a high-profile lunch with more than 30 CEOs from America’s leading corporations, including Tesla, Boeing, Amazon, and Palantir. Hosted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Saudi royal court, the event underscored the symbiotic relationship between Trump’s administration and corporate America, even as businesses grapple with the ripple effects of his aggressive trade policies.
A Meeting of Minds and Money
The White House released a guest list featuring executives from defense contractors, AI pioneers, and retail giants, many of whom contributed to Trump’s record-breaking $239 million inauguration fund. The gathering aimed to strengthen U.S.-Saudi economic ties, with Trump announcing $600 billion in Saudi investments during a speech hours later. For CEOs, the event offered a platform to network with Saudi investors, showcase loyalty to Trump’s “America First” vision, and navigate regulatory challenges under his administration.
Key Attendees and Announcements
- Elon Musk (Tesla/SpaceX): Fresh off Trump’s regulatory rollbacks— including dropped DOJ cases against SpaceX and Neuralink—Musk secured Saudi approval for Starlink satellites in aviation and maritime sectors.
- Jensen Huang (Nvidia): Announced a deal to sell 18,000 AI chips to Saudi firm Humain, aligning with the kingdom’s push to become an AI hub.
- Kelly Ortberg (Boeing): Celebrated a “largest-ever” aircraft deal with Qatar Airways, signaling Boeing’s recovery amid Trump’s tariffs on aluminum.
- Alex Karp (Palantir): Benefited from Trump’s federal workforce cuts, with Palantir’s AI tools filling gaps in understaffed agencies. Shares surged 45% this year.
- Sam Altman (OpenAI): Collaborating with Trump’s “Stargate Project” to build government AI infrastructure, after donating $1 million to the inauguration fund.
Trade Tensions and Tariff Fallout
While companies like Amazon and Coca-Cola navigate tariff-driven price hikes, others, such as Alcoa, face direct hits. Alcoa CEO William Oplinger projected a $90 million tariff impact this quarter. Despite this, executives emphasized alignment with Trump’s transactional style, leveraging access to secure deals and influence policy.
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Saudi Ambitions and U.S. Interests
The $600 billion investment pledge includes $80 billion from Google for U.S. and Saudi projects, while BlackRock’s Larry Fink discussed stalled Panama Canal port deals. The event highlighted Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, with U.S. firms playing a central role in its tech and infrastructure transformation.
Why It Matters
Trump’s Saudi summit blends diplomacy, corporate strategy, and campaign finance, offering a blueprint for how businesses adapt to—or capitalize on—his policies. As tariffs reshape global trade, the event underscores the high-stakes balancing act for CEOs seeking profit and political clout.
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