U.S. President Donald Trump is set to attend Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Miami from March 26-29, marking his second appearance since returning to office. His presence underscores the growing importance of Gulf-U.S. economic partnerships, especially after recent investment and defense agreements signed during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s meeting with Trump in November. Riyadh committed to boosting U.S. investments to nearly $1 trillion, more than doubling previous figures.
The event offers Saudi Arabia a critical platform to court international investors amid its Vision 2030 transformation. With funding for mega-projects waning, Riyadh is shifting focus toward private sector collaboration, seeking to energize its economic diversification by engaging North and South American business leaders.
The Miami gathering also highlights the intensifying rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both vying for regional economic dominance. While Dubai and Abu Dhabi expand rapidly across finance and technology, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to position Riyadh as the Middle East’s premier business hub.
Usually held in Riyadh as “Davos in the Desert,” the FII has become a key event to attract global investment. Now expanding into other cities like Miami, the conference underscores the Gulf’s strategic push for economic influence in a shifting regional landscape.