US President Donald Trump's visit to the Gulf was briefly previewed during a discussion at a financial conference in California on Tuesday.
The visit came up during a moderated panel event at the 2025 Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles, where the world's financial and economic leaders have gathered this week to talk.
The conference comes a week before Mr Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. His visit is expected to focus on securing investment deals, tariffs, the Gaza war and Iran.
“I'm sure the more this kind of engagement, the better we will be able to understand each other and to understand each other will mean that we could be in a better place to address common concerns,” said Nayef Al Hajraf, chairman of Capital Asset Management and former secretary general of the Gulf Co-operation Council.
Mr Al Hajraf acknowledged that while there are “always differences” with respect to politics, Mr Trump's economic and investment agenda during his visit could be measured in a more objective way.
“One plus one equals two. And I think that's where we need to focus our effort,” he said.
He also said there will be a large business delegation arriving in Riyadh for an investment forum, which he said will be a sideline event during Mr Trump's visit.
The Saudi-US Investment Forum on May 13 will convene private and public sector officials with key industries to focus on energy, minerals, financial services, artificial intelligence, manufacturing and health care.
"I really believe that very tangible things will come from it," Charles Hallab, chief executive of the US-Saudi Business Council, told The National.
Saudi Arabia has already pledged to invest at least $600 billion in the US over the next four years, while the UAE plans to contribute $1.4 trillion over the next decade as part of an "investment framework".
Mr Trump's visit to the Gulf also comes as uncertainty over his tariff agenda continues to vex investors. The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar were all subject to a 10 per cent “reciprocal” tariff announced by the US President last month. Economists argue the region will not be directly affected by tariffs.
Members speaking on the panel called for more clarity on Mr Trump's plans and the need for a quick solution, although they noted market volatility so far has no damaging effect.
“As investors, we will need to under have greater clarity … because we hear a lot of CEOs sort of holding back,” said Abu Dhabi Investment Capital chief investment officer Shiv Srinivasan.
Mr Srinivasan also said market volatility does not have to be a “bad thing” and noted uncertainty could also provide opportunities of which investors can take advantage.
