President Trump joked Friday that he regretted not asking “for more” from the Gulf states throughout his go to to the Center East, the place he secured greater than $2 trillion in US investments and even scored a possible substitute for Air Drive One.
“There’s never been a trip like this by any president or anybody ever before,” Trump instructed Fox Information’ “Special Report” host Bret Baier about his 4 days in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
The president sealed offers all through his Center East swing, together with a $600 billion funding dedication from Saudi Arabia, a $1.2 trillion financial alternate settlement and a $243.5 billion business and protection pact with Qatar and $200 billion in UAE business funding agreements.
“I should’ve asked for more,” Trump mentioned of the four-day windfall.
Forward of his voyage — Trump’s first official overseas journey of his second time period — the president was additionally gifted a luxuriously upgraded Boeing 747-8 price an estimated $400 million from a member of Qatar’s royal household.
Trump plans to make use of the so-called “flying palace” as a short lived substitute for the 40-year-old Air Drive One planes at present in use after the Division of Protection makes the required upgrades to convey the jet as much as presidential requirements.
The jet, at present parked within the US, was not offered to Trump by Qatar throughout the go to. The president has been important of Boeing for being gradual to ship new Air Drive One plane.
“You know, until you bring this up now, I haven’t heard about it for three days,” Trump, sounding irritated, instructed Baier when he introduced up the jet. “I mean, we can talk about it again. You ready?”
“They’re giving it to the United States Air Force/Defense Department of the United States and not giving it to me,” the president asserted.
“I made a good deal,” Trump continued. “We need a plane for a couple of years before we get the other ones, because Boeing is very late.”
The president argued that earlier administrations had not proven the Gulf states, which he described as “very important,” sufficient regard — pushing them nearer to China.
“It was never treated properly,” Trump mentioned of the Center East, “and it was certainly not treated well by Biden, who didn’t know he was alive, frankly.”
“He didn’t treat this group well,” the president continued, referring to former President Joe Biden’s dealing with of relations with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE.
“They were being coaxed very strongly by China,” Trump continued. “That solves China’s gasoline issues eternally.
“It wasn’t their preference, but they were on their way.”
Trump was adamant that underneath his administration, shut ties between the Gulf nations and China wouldn’t occur.
“We’re closer to them than ever before,” the president mentioned of US relations with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE as he wrapped up his journey.
