Trump hints at Saudi billion-dollar deals and territorial ambitions
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that his first international trip might be to Saudi Arabia, even though traditionally U.S. presidents visit the United Kingdom after taking office.
After a rally in Las Vegas, Trump mentioned that he had a phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who reportedly pledged to invest $600 (CAD 860) billion in the U.S. over four years.
Trump stated that he asked the Saudi leader to increase the amount to $1 (CAD 1.4) trillion.
- We may be a very substantially enlarged country in the not too distant - announced U.S. President Donald Trump during the rally in Las Vegas on Saturday, alluding to his territorial claims. Trump also said he might reverse his decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO).
We may be a very substantially enlarged country in the not too distant— Isn't it nice to see - for years, decades, we’re the same size to the square-foot, probably got smaller actually but we might be an enlarged country pretty soon - Trump said during the rally, intended as a thank you for his electoral victory in Nevada.
Although Trump did not specify during Saturday's speech what he meant, in recent days and weeks he has frequently spoken about his ambitions to acquire Greenland and regain control over the Panama Canal, and even annex Canada as the 51st state.
In his remarks, the president summarized the achievements of his presidency so far, claiming that under his leadership, the country is undergoing a "common sense revolution" and "new era of national success." He mentioned, among other things, border restrictions, freezing of foreign aid, as well as withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization (WHO).
He argued that the U.S. paid too much to WHO compared to China's much lower contributions. However, he added that when he announced the withdrawal from WHO during his first term (a decision later reversed by Joe Biden), the organization offered to reduce his fees to what China pays. He said that although he rejected that offer at the time, he might return to WHO if it "cleans" up.
Trump's decision to leave WHO is set to take effect in January next year.
"Biden was extremely busy sleeping"
The new U.S. president also said that on Saturday, he spoke with the leader of a certain country who complained about not being able to contact him during Joe Biden's presidency.
Biden "would never take the call. He'll call you back in 2 months. 2 months? Yes he's extremely busy sleeping," Trump mocked, claiming that other countries are eager for affection from America.
Although Trump did not name his interlocutor, shortly after his speech, the White House issued a communiqué about Trump's conversation with King Abdullah II of Jordan.
