Has Donald Trump taken US-Gulf relations to a new era?

President Trump wrapped up a historic trip through Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, marking a rare opportunity for direct engagement with regional leaders amid geopolitical tensions. During his visit, $1 trillion was pledged in investments, signaling significant shifts in both Middle East relations and U.S.-region ties. The U.S. appears poised to lift long-standing sanctions on Syria and advance toward a nuclear deal with Iran, reshaping the region's balance of power. Notably, Trump avoided stops in Egypt or Israel, raising questions about whether the Gulf states will now align more closely with U.S. policy directions—or if they remain independent actors shaping U.S.-region foreign policy.