Trump's first trip abroad brought the US $350 billion

The US and Saudi Arabia signed a $110 billion arms deal with immediate effect on the first day of President Donald Trump's arrival in Riyadh.

US President Donald Trump (in black suit) appeared happy and relaxed when having dinner with Saudi Arabian King Salman (third from left). Mr. Trump was welcomed more warmly than his predecessor Barack Obama - Photo: Reuters

"Hundreds of billions of dollars in investment will be pouring into the United States and creating jobs. I want to thank our friends in Saudi Arabia," Reuters quoted Mr. Trump as saying at a press conference after the signing ceremony.

According to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the total value of agreements signed between the US and Saudi Arabia amounts to 350 billion USD, including 110 billion USD in arms sales agreements that take effect immediately.

Despite criticism in the US, Mr Trump was given a warm welcome in the first country of his nine-day trip to Israel, the Vatican, Italy and Belgium. King Salman of Saudi Arabia personally greeted President Trump when Air Force One landed in Riyadh, shaking hands and sharing a car with the US leader.

Speaking after the talks between Mr. Trump and King Salman, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir emphasized that the results achieved in the meeting between the two leaders were "the beginning of a turning point" in the new relationship between the US, Saudi Arabia and US allies in the Gulf region.

The two foreign ministers of the United States and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed that the recently signed multi-billion dollar arms deal is aimed at countering threats from Iran. A message conveyed by the two countries to Mr. Hassan Rouhani, on the day he was re-elected as President of Iran (May 20).

Mr al-Jubeir said King Salman and Mr Trump agreed that further action was needed to stop Iran "from continuing its aggressive policies in the region". President Trump has been known to take a hard line on Iran since his election campaign and called the nuclear deal reached between the US and Iran under Barack Obama a mistake.

Observers say it is clear that Mr. Trump was welcomed and received more warmly in Saudi Arabia than his predecessor, Obama, who was seen as having a soft stance on Iran and hesitant on the Syria issue.

Mr. Trump and King Salman talked freely and exchanged many things freely, according to Reuters. At the royal palace al-Yamama, the Saudi king personally awarded Mr. Trump the Abdulaziz Medal - the country's highest civilian award.

According to TTO