DUBAI, UAE (CP) – President Donald Trump began his first international trip of his second term Tuesday in three Middle Eastern countries where his family business has recently expanded, prompting concerns from ethics watchdogs as the Trump Organization actively pursues lucrative deals in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
President Trump departed for Saudi Arabia Tuesday on his first major international trip since returning to office, visiting a region where the Trump Organization has rapidly expanded its business interests. The president’s sons, who lead the family business, have spent recent weeks negotiating deals across the Middle East, creating what government watchdogs describe as unprecedented potential conflicts between American foreign policy and the president’s personal financial interests.
Just days before the president’s scheduled arrival in the UAE, his son Eric Trump announced plans for an 80-floor luxury hotel and residential tower in Dubai, promising the “incredible icon” would feature the world’s highest infinity-edge pool. The Trump Organization has also unveiled a $5.5 billion beachside golf resort in Qatar, where Trump will visit Wednesday, and has pursued cryptocurrency ventures backed by $2 billion from Abu Dhabi investors. Trump himself publicly praised Qatar’s gift of a $400 million Boeing 747-8 that will serve as Air Force One during his presidency, stating: “I would never be one to turn down that kind of offer.”
White House officials have denied accusations of ethical impropriety, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt calling it “frankly ridiculous that anyone would even suggest that President Trump is doing anything for his own benefit.” While the president is exempt from standard conflict-of-interest laws, critics note he hasn’t renewed his first-term pledge to separate himself from business interests. Presidential historian Douglas Brinkley described Trump’s approach as “taking a wrecking ball to convention and norms,” though he acknowledged “there’s yet to be proven illegality” in the arrangements. Middle Eastern business leaders have largely welcomed the Trump Organization’s expansion, with one executive noting that if Americans worry about conflicts of interest, “that’s their responsibility to enforce their own laws.”
The president’s regional trip comes amid critical foreign policy challenges, including the situation in Gaza, Iran’s nuclear program, and efforts to normalize Saudi-Israeli relations. However, White House officials indicated business deals and investments would take priority during the 3½-day visit, reflecting Trump’s vision for American engagement in the region. The administration has provided limited details about the president’s schedule or traveling delegation, breaking with traditional transparency practices for presidential foreign visits.