President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
President Donald Trump’s recent whirlwind tour of the Middle East has grabbed headlines—not for saber-rattling or ideological speeches—but for something far more transactional: a staggering $2 trillion in business deals. From Saudi Arabia to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates to Pakistan, Trump’s second-term foreign policy is rewriting the rules. At the center of this transformation stands a bold concept: commercial diplomacy.
In a widely shared LinkedIn article, tech entrepreneur and investor Karl Mehta hails this shift as a “new era” in U.S. foreign policy—one that ditches decades of doctrine-driven alliances in favor of open markets, investment partnerships, and economic pragmatism. While Trump’s critics see recklessness and a disregard for human rights and long-standing allies, Mehta sees strategy: a dealmaker’s vision of peace and prosperity through commerce.
The Pivot to Business
What is commercial diplomacy? At its core, it’s using diplomatic influence not to spread democracy or contain threats, but to unlock trade opportunities, foster innovation, and secure investment. Trump’s version is unapologetically opportunistic. Instead of drawing red lines, he draws up contracts.
Consider the numbers:
$600 billion pledged by Saudi Arabia, including massive investments in U.S. defense, AI, and energy.
$243 billion in deals with Qatar, featuring Boeing aircraft and defense systems.
$14.5 billion from the UAE for aircraft and data centers.
These are not mere memoranda of understanding—they're strategic bets on a world where America’s power is measured in partnerships and product lines, not only in military bases or moral posturing.
Rewriting the Rules: Syria, Pakistan, and China
Trump’s deal-making extends far beyond the Gulf. In a surprise move, he lifted all U.S. sanctions on Syria, opening the door for American investment in reconstruction projects. This move was reportedly brokered with Saudi backing—a clear signal that economic inclusion trumps past hostilities.
Similarly, Pakistan, long criticized for harboring terrorist groups, is now being offered a zero-tariff trade deal. It's a decision that many foreign policy veterans find shocking—especially given the potential to alienate India, America’s democratic partner and economic powerhouse.
And then there's China. Despite ongoing tensions, Trump finalized a new trade pact aimed at reducing tariffs and expanding market access. For Mehta, this underscores a core belief of commercial diplomacy: competition doesn't preclude cooperation.
From Diplomats to Dealmakers
Perhaps the most symbolic shift is in who’s leading U.S. foreign relations. Trump’s foreign policy team features not career diplomats but Wall Street and real estate magnates—people like Howard Lutnick and Steven Witkoff. These figures speak the language of leverage and liquidity, not protocol or public service.
This, Mehta argues, is the point: in a world driven by capital flows and digital infrastructure, business minds may be better equipped than bureaucrats to navigate geopolitical complexity.
A Double-Edged Strategy
Yet for all the optimism, the risks are real.
Critics, including writers in The New York Post and The Guardian, warn that Trump’s policies could alienate traditional allies like Israel, who now fear being sidelined in favor of deals with Iran or the Houthis in Yemen. Others caution that prioritizing commerce over democratic values might empower authoritarian regimes and erode America's moral authority.
Moreover, there’s the question of sustainability. Are these deals built to last, or will they unravel with the next administration—or the next diplomatic crisis?
The Verdict: A World in Transaction
Whether one sees Trump’s commercial diplomacy as visionary or volatile, it undeniably marks a rupture with the past. Karl Mehta calls it “the engine driving America’s engagement with the world.” And for now, at least, the world appears eager to buy in.
In a global order shaken by war, pandemics, and economic upheaval, Trump is betting that dollars and data centers will succeed where doctrines have failed. The question is whether this business-first foreign policy can build a stable and just global future—or whether it will leave the United States richer but more isolated.