President Donald Trump opened his first trip abroad, touching down Saturday in Saudi Arabia for a visit aimed at building stronger partnerships to combat terrorism and moving past the controversies engulfing his young administration.
Trump flew to Riyadh overnight on Air Force One. He’s the only American president to make Saudi Arabia, a majority Muslim country, his first stop overseas as president- a scheduling choice designed to show respect to the region after months of a harsh anti-Muslim campaign.
After two days of meetings in Riyadh, Trump will travel to Israel, have an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican, and meet with allies at a NATO summit in Brussels and the Group of 7 wealthy nations in Sicily.
“President Trump understands that America First does not mean America alone,” said HR McMaster, Trump’s national security adviser.
“Prioritising American interests means strengthening alliances and partnerships that help us extend our influence and improve the security of the American people.”
White House officials hope the trip marks an opportunity for Trump to recalibrate after one of the most difficult stretches of his young presidency.
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