President Donald Trump is engaged in negotiations with Saudi Arabia this week, focusing on arms sales and tech investments. Despite his efforts, convincing Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and Arab countries, may prove challenging. During an investment forum in Riyadh, Trump expressed optimism about Saudi Arabia joining the Accords, emphasizing the significance of this potential move in the Middle East. This visit marks Trump’s first presidential trip to the region since starting his second term, including stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

The Abraham Accords, signed in 2020, established normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and Morocco, Bahrain, the UAE, and Sudan, breaking longstanding Arab consensus on Israel. Spearheaded by Jared Kushner, the Accords aimed to promote peace by emphasizing shared religious ties among the Abrahamic faiths. Despite previous successes with other nations, efforts to secure a deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel have stalled.

The Accords have facilitated security, trade, and tourism agreements among participating nations, fostering dialogue and cooperation. While Trump and Accords brokers have long hoped for Saudi Arabia’s inclusion, progress has been slow. The potential addition of Saudi Arabia to the Accords would mark a significant development in the region’s diplomatic landscape.