Archives des Trump

President Trump’s Visit to Saudi Arabia: Key Takeaways & Analysis

Posted on mai 30, 2025mai 30, 2025 by Sarah El Kadi

Overview
President Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia this may to an elaborate welcome, including a personal tarmac greeting from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) — a clear display of the Kingdom’s highest respect. His visit was positively received by Saudi leadership and an excited local public, who viewed it as a vote of confidence for Saudi Arabia’s transformation, its economic and political model, and its growing role on the global stage. For President Trump, it was another opportunity to stray away from American political tradition (first, by the very choice of Saudi Arabia as a destination over more traditional allies in Europe and North America), and double down on his interests-first, transactional approach to foreign policy.

The visit was centered on bringing home business deals, standing in sharp contrast to former President Joe Biden’s 2022 visit, a tense affair following Biden’s characterization of the Kingdom as a “pariah.” Headline announcements during the trip focused on economic agreements from leading U.S. companies in energy, defense, and technology, totaling $283 billion, a number which falls short of the widely touted $600 billion. Most importantly, the deals signal clear encouragement from the White House to the U.S. business community to actively expand commercial cooperation with KSA.

This article summarizes additional key takeaways and strategic implications from President Trump’s visit to KSA, including:

The Trump administration has unreservedly embraced Saudi Arabia as a key ally and is prioritizing a business-first approach to its relationship with the country.
Technology – and particularly AI – figured prominently in the visit and will continue to lead as the latest frontier for bilateral U.S.-Saudi cooperation. As of now, investments point to Saudi Arabia binding its AI future away from China and to the U.S.
Diplomacy was not a significant public feature of the Trump visit, but it still emphasized the increasingly central regional and global role that Saudi Arabia is playing in politics.

Key Takeaways

The Trump administration has unreservedly embraced Saudi Arabia as a key ally and is prioritizing a business-first approach to its relationship with the country.

While Saudi Arabia has long been a U.S. partner, previous administrations have had reservations — rooted in security concerns — about supporting the country’s ambitions in certain strategic areas such as AI and nuclear energy. In contrast, the Trump administration’s high-profile cooperation with the Kingdom across these areas — including involvement from high-profile U.S. companies — serves as a green light to the broader American private sector that the country is
open for business, with little to no strings attached.

While American executives have previously boycotted Saudi conferences such as the Future Investment Initiative, the large contingent of CEOs accompanying the President during his visit — including Jensen Huang (NVIDIA), Ruth Porat (Alphabet and Google), and Larry Fink (BlackRock) — indicates that concerns about reputational backlash for doing business in KSA are a thing of the past. In fact, the message appeared to be that if companies are not already operating in the Kingdom or considering doing so, they risk being left behind in the fast-growing market. Identifying and capturing opportunities in Saudi Arabia, and navigating its complex stakeholder landscape, will require local expertise, sustained attention, and regular follow-up on the ground.

Technology –— and particularly AI — figured prominently in the visit and will continue to lead as the latest frontier for bilateral U.S.-Saudi cooperation. As of now, investments point to Saudi Arabia binding its AI future away from China and to the U.S.

AI has quickly become the dominant nexus for the U.S.’ geopolitical and economic competition with China, and the most prominent battleground is the Gulf states — namely, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Both countries have invested heavily in AI infrastructure and leading firms to position themselves as global leaders in the field. To this end, President Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia coincided with two key developments: 1) the Trump administration’s reversal of Biden’s AI diffusion rule, which placed limits on the distribution of American AI technology to prevent it from being accessed by adversaries, notably China; and 2) the launch of HUMAIN, a PIF-owned company that will operate and invest across the AI value chain.

During President Trump’s visit, several large AI deals were announced at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum by leading American firms, including Nvidia, AMD, and AWS. Until these deals, the greatest constraint on the ability of KSA to execute its AI ambitions was access to large volumes of advanced chips to train sophisticated models. While other constraints remain — including the widespread availability of local talent and pushback from hawks in the Trump Administration who remain concerned about lack of guardrails to protect the technology from China — the deals pave the way for the Kingdom to build its AI ecosystem faster and at greater scale than ever before. The close involvement of leading U.S. technology executives during this visit is indicative of the central role that American firms are positioned to play in the growth of regional AI capabilities. The numerous American deals with HUMAIN may also hint at Saudi
Arabia’s strategic realignment away from China and more firmly toward the U.S. camp. This contrasts with a previously announced PIF-backed technology company, Alat, which has several investments and partnerships with China (though the Alat CEO said last year that if the U.S. asked them to cut ties with China, they would. These comments were not supported by any official KSA policy or statements, however).

While the widely publicized technology deals make for impressive headlines, fewer details are available about their actual implementation. Furthermore, the fiscal picture in Saudi Arabia – including low oil prices, budget cuts, and increased borrowing – adds further doubt to how realistic these commitments are. Even companies involved in deals announced this month will need to engage in sustained follow-up with partners in the Kingdom and continue investing in personal relationships to maintain momentum and ensure progress on their planned collaborations. Tech firms seeking to leverage opportunities in the Kingdom’s AI ecosystem should follow the implementation of these deals closely to learn from the experiences of more seasoned companies in this space. They should especially consider what they have to offer to capture the attention of local stakeholders, particularly as competition grows rapidly in the sector. Early movers are likely to have an advantage.

It is also important to note that U.S. policy may shift in the future in certain scenarios, including President Trump reversing course, the Democrats winning the midterm elections, or if it comes to light that China is accessing American AI chips in Saudi Arabia. Despite these shifts, it may be difficult to reverse some of the quickly moving AI developments from last week. Once large quantities of U.S. chips have been sent to the Kingdom, it would be counterproductive for the U.S. to try and reverse AI cooperation, as this may push the country toward Chinese cooperation.

Diplomacy was not a significant public feature of the Trump visit, but it still emphasized the increasingly central regional and global role that Saudi Arabia is playing in politics.

Officials on both the Saudi and American side preferred to let business and economic ties serve as the centerpiece of this visit. However, behind the scenes, the visit was trumpeted as a sign of Saudi Arabia’s increasingly prominent role in regional diplomacy, at times at the expense of more traditional U.S. allies such as Israel. President Trump’s effusive remarks toward the country further underlined this as he complimented Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and called Riyadh, the “major business, cultural, and high-tech capital of the entire world.” In an online clip that went viral among Saudi and Arab audiences, the president portrayed Saudi Arabia as a model, describing the country’s development as “a modern miracle the Arabian way” while criticizing the “failures” of Western intervention and specifically, the policies of his predecessor, former President Biden.

During the visit, at a summit between GCC and U.S. leadership, the Crown Prince facilitated a landmark rapprochement between the U.S. and Syria, bringing President Trump and President Ahmed al-Sharaa together – the first time that leaders from both sides had met in 25 years, and concluding with a pledge to begin a lifting of U.S. sanctions. This announcement – which did not require security assurances from President al-Sharaa or a promise to recognize Israel – was another signal that President Trump is flouting American tradition and acting with his own interests in mind even if that means sidelining historic allies such as Israel.

As Saudi Arabia works with the Trump administration to negotiate deals with Iran and support regional states — including Syria and Lebanon — in their economic transitions, this may open up opportunities for foreign businesses who’d like to enter these markets. However, given President Trump’s track record of reversing sanctions policy decisions and the uncertainty around the opening of these markets, firms should remain cautious and wait before engaging in new business deals with these countries

Global trade & tariff tracker : Five critical questions, answered

Posted on avril 23, 2025juin 17, 2025 by Sarah El Kadi

It has been another wild week on the global trade front. Tariffs are whipsawing. Supply chains are scrambling. Markets are swinging wildly. And businesses everywhere are re-evaluating their next moves.

The U.S.-China trade relationship has now entered uncharted territory, with tit-for-tat tariffs hitting unprecedented levels. What began as targeted escalation is morphing into a broad and punishing economic standoff. Meanwhile, the U.S.’ 90-day tariff pause for other trading partners has only added to the confusion –— offering a narrow window for diplomacy, or perhaps just more volatility.

Amid the chaos, one thing is clear: this is no longer just about trade. The White House is reshaping the global economic order in real time, with ripple effects for global supply chains, pricing, investment, and geopolitics. And multinationals are understandably asking –—– what is the endgame here, and how do we prepare for what’s next?

1. What is the long-term strategy behind the U.S. administration’s tariff policy – and is there an endgame?

There are three consistent themes emerging in President Trump’s trade approach: the containment of China, the onshoring of manufacturing, and now –— with the recent pause on reciprocal tariffs –— pursuit of greater market access for U.S. exports. While the strategy may appear transactional at times, the through-line is a reordering of global trade relationships on terms the Trump administration believes are more favorable to U.S. economic and geopolitical interests.

2. What is the outlook for U.S.-China trade – are we headed for a protracted decoupling, or is there still room for dealmaking? And how should companies respond in the near term?

The immediate risk to U.S. companies is tariffs –— Chinese duties now make it prohibitively expensive to export most goods to China, where U.S. exports previously averaged $150 billion annually. If tensions escalate further, services could be next. The U.S. currently runs a $32 billion services surplus with China, and American brands have built substantial market share there.

For now, the White House’s posture looks more like strategic decoupling than tactical dealmaking. President Trump has called for phasing out “essential” Chinese goods broadly defined as everything from electronics to pharmaceuticals. Bipartisan momentum supports decoupling in critical sectors such as technology, aerospace, and life sciences. That said, the administration has left the door open to negotiation on targeted issues like fentanyl precursors, intellectual property, and capital flows –— suggesting the potential for tactical pauses or deals.

Beijing, for its part, is wary of engaging publicly without a clearer sense of the U.S. endgame –— and how other countries are positioning themselves around Trump’s tariff strategy. At the same time, China has so far refrained from triggering consumer boycotts, though this could change quickly if anti-U.S. sentiment hardens further.

In the short term, companies should continue to monitor developments closely and adopt a cautious, well-informed stance. Many multinationals have already pursued a “China-for-China” model –— localizing production and operations to insulate against tariffs. That remains a smart hedge, but additional risks such as regulatory scrutiny, operational barriers, and reputational backlash should now be part of the planning horizon.

Documentation is also critical: with U.S. authorities expected to ramp up enforcement against transshipped Chinese goods, companies must ensure end-to-end traceability to avoid unexpected duties or penalties.

This is not a moment for panic –— but it is one for clear-eyed planning, contingency mapping, and active government engagement on both sides of the Pacific.

3. The tariff escalation initially seemed to target Canada and Mexico, but the U.S. administration has since shifted its focus more squarely to China. Does this signal that Canada and Mexico are now in good standing – or is there a risk the political calculus could shift again and put USMCA partners back in the crosshairs?

No market is entirely in the clear. USMCA-compliant goods still enjoy tariff-free access, but tariffs on non-compliant imports, as well as on steel, aluminum, and auto parts, remain. Negotiations on metals and autos are likely to intensify, and the possibility of new tariffs –— including on copper, lumber, or pharmaceuticals –— cannot be ruled out.

Dialogue with Mexico is ongoing, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated that Canada is set to ramp up comprehensive engagement immediately following its April 28 election. Positive outcomes from these dialogues could bring more predictability, but U.S. domestic triggers –— such as fentanyl enforcement, immigration flows, and even water treaty compliance –— may reopen the door to new tariffs.

4. How are other major economies – such as the EU, Japan, India and emerging markets (e.g., Vietnam) – likely to respond to the U.S. tariff escalation, and what are the implications for companies operating globally?

USTR Jamieson Greer has stated that approximately 70 countries are seeking negotiations to avoid higher tariffs. The EU has paused its retaliatory tariffs in step with the U.S. and remains open to negotiation. Japan and Korea have already opened formal channels with the Trump administration, with meetings expected shortly (indeed, a meeting between Secretary Bessent and Japan’s lead negotiator could take place as early as next week). In Southeast Asia, which has been targeted for some of the highest reciprocal tariff rates, there are serious concerns about the potentially devastating impact on economic growth in countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand that will receive very high tariff rates and have become increasingly dependent on exports. These three countries, as well as India, have benefitted from supply chain shifts out of China, but high U.S. tariffs could call the sustainability of this trend into question. ASEAN countries have signaled that they do not view retaliation as a viable strategy and are instead seeking negotiated settlements with the United States.

For multinationals, the takeaway is clear: political engagement and commercial adaptability in these markets will be essential as they calibrate their positioning in response to U.S. moves.

5. How do we communicate clearly and credibly with policymakers, investors, customers, and other important stakeholders in this volatile environment?

Be grounded in facts by enhancing your intelligence gathering and monitoring. Acknowledge the uncertainty, stay anchored to your long-term strategy, and scenario-plan rigorously. Keep stakeholders informed –— not just about what you know, but about what you are actively watching. Activate a rapid-response process to enable nimble, coordinated decision-making, and lean on trusted expert advisors to sense-check assumptions, strengthen your understanding of the evolving dynamics, and help you navigate effectively.

Targeted and thorough engagement with policymakers across jurisdictions –— particularly where supply chains span borders –— has never been more important given the volatility and the wide range of potential outcomes. Trade policy expertise matters just as much as access. Above all, communicate with discipline and realism: avoid both false reassurance and overreaction. This is a moment that calls for strategic clarity, steady leadership, and credible messaging.

Les premières actions de Donald Trump après son investiture

Posted on février 12, 2025février 12, 2025 by emmanuelle

Le président Donald Trump a rapidement annoncé des mesures visant à mettre en œuvre ses promesses de campagne, touchant des domaines clés tels que l’immigration, l’énergie, l’armée et la fonction publique fédérale. Beaucoup de ces actions s’inscrivent comme des révisions ou des annulations des politiques instaurées par son prédécesseur, Joe Biden. Voici une synthèse des principales initiatives et leurs implications.

Résumé des mesures annoncées

Immigration : Une attention particulière a été accordée à la réduction des flux migratoires. Trump a déclaré une urgence nationale à la frontière sud, déployant des forces armées et relançant la construction du mur entre les États-Unis et le Mexique. Les réfugiés ont vu leur accueil suspendu pour six mois, et des mesures strictes ont été prises contre les demandeurs d’asile, notamment via le retour de la politique « Remain in Mexico ». Il a également signé un décret mettant fin à la citoyenneté automatique pour les enfants nés de parents en situation irrégulière ou temporaire, une décision qui fait déjà l’objet de recours judiciaires.

Commerce et économie : Le président a suspendu l’interdiction de TikTok pour une durée de 75 jours afin de permettre à ByteDance Ltd. de répondre aux inquiétudes de sécurité nationale. Il a aussi annoncé une révision des politiques tarifaires avec la Chine, le Canada et le Mexique, tout en prévoyant des tarifs allant jusqu’à 25 % sur les importations en provenance du Canada et du Mexique à compter du 1er février. Dans ce cadre, il a annoncé la création d’un « External Revenue Service » pour collecter les revenus issus des tarifs.

Pardons : Trump a gracié environ 1 500 individus impliqués dans les émeutes du 6 janvier au Capitole et a commué 14 peines.

Politique énergétique et climatique : L’administration Trump a déclaré une urgence énergétique afin d’accélérer les permis pour les pipelines et de relancer le forage en Alaska et offshore. Elle a également annulé plusieurs normes environnementales, dont celles sur les appareils électroménagers et les ampoules. Le retrait des États-Unis de l’Accord de Paris a été entamé, et les subventions pour les véhicules électriques ont été supprimées.

Réduction des initiatives DEI : Le président a émis un décret mettant fin à toutes les politiques et programmes fédéraux liés à la diversité, l’équité et l’inclusion (DEI), et imposé un retour à une politique d’embauche fondée sur le mérite.

Analyse par les chiffres

Le président Biden a émis 159 décrets, dont 7 ont été annulés durant son mandat. Hier, en un seul décret, le président Trump a annulé 67 décrets, en rétablissant 54 de ses propres politiques du premier mandat.
Un gel réglementaire a été instauré pour toutes les nouvelles règlementations, exigeant un examen par des responsables nommés par Trump avant toute publication. Cette mesure pourrait entraîner des délais importants dans l’application de nouvelles règles.

Dans un mémorandum, le président Trump :

A interdit la proposition ou la publication de toute règle finale ou proposition de règlement sans l’approbation préalable d’un responsable nommé par Trump.
A ordonné que toute règle déjà soumise au Federal Register soit retirée pour examen.
A exigé qu’un report de 60 jours soit envisagé pour les règles publiées mais non encore entrées en vigueur, afin d’évaluer tout enjeu de fait, de droit ou de politique

Changements institutionnels

Trump a établi le Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), successeur du U.S. Digital Service, avec un mandat de 18 mois pour moderniser les systèmes logiciels et informatiques à l’échelle fédérale. Le DOGE, composé de volontaires et d’employés détachés, devra réaliser cette mission avant le 4 juillet 2026. Chaque chef d’agence est chargé de constituer une équipe DOGE de quatre personnes (chef d’équipe, spécialiste RH, ingénieur, et juriste), avec un accès complet aux systèmes non classifiés.

Perspectives

Les décisions prises par le président Trump ont suscité des réactions immédiates, et beaucoup feront face à des défis juridiques importants. Les thèmes clés de son action (immigration, énergie, règlementations) démontrent une volonté de rétablir les priorités de son premier mandat tout en marquant une rupture claire avec l’administration précédente.