US President Donald Trump’s decision to make Saudi Arabia his first major foreign stop in his new Middle East diplomacy is a move filled with strategic promise. Early in his administration’s next chapter, this visit could mark the beginning of a transformative period for the region-and for America’s role within it. More than a symbolic gesture, choosing Riyadh as the launch pad for a fresh regional approach suggests an intent to ground US policies in regional realities and partnerships rather than distant theorizing. If approached boldly, this could set the Middle East on a new course-favoring peace and prosperity over war and hatred.

The agenda for Trump’s meetings with GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) leaders is expected to be packed with weighty issues: trade, investment, mutual security commitments, and strategies for ending regional conflicts. These topics are not only vital for regional stability but are critical to the broader health of the global economy. The US and GCC states are significant economic players who suffer during global recessions and thrive during global booms. Recent economic trends, however, have been troubling. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised downward its forecast for global growth, and JP Morgan recently estimated a 60 percent chance of a global recession. This summit could lay the groundwork for reversing those trends.

The recent depreciation of the US dollar against other currencies has impacted GCC states disproportionately. As major exporters of oil and gas-products priced in dollars-and with currencies pegged to the dollar, the weakening greenback diminishes their revenues. Furthermore, GCC exporters have been hurt by US tariff policies, including the 10 percent tariffs on general exports and the aluminum and steel tariffs imposed during Trump’s first term. To address these growing imbalances, Riyadh could serve as the setting for discussions on a new, balanced trade framework-one featuring reciprocal........

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