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May 9 – May 15

President Trump is catalyzing investment and negotiating fair trade deals to accelerate American employment and prosperity. Secretary Rubio joined President Trump on a trip to the Middle East to secure historic investment commitments.

Here's what happened at State this week. ⤵️

• ✈️ Secretary Rubio traveled to Türkiye to attend NATO meetings and advance President Trump's agenda of ensuring that our Allies contribute their fair share to making NATO stronger and more effective.
• 💬 Deputy Secretary Landau promoted the U.S. as the top destination for foreign direct investment at the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit.
• 🌎 We welcomed Afrikaner refugees from South Africa, protecting a group facing racial discrimination and violence.

U.S. Economic Diplomacy in the Middle East

On his trip to the Middle East, Secretary Marco Rubio holds a meet and greet with employees and families at U.S. Mission Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2025. (State Dept./ Freddie Everett)

This week, Secretary Rubio joined President Trump in Saudi Arabia and Qatar to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Gulf partners.

📍 In Saudi Arabia, President Trump announced a historic $600 billion investment commitment from Saudi Arabia in the U.S. As laid out in a White House fact sheet, the deal spans defense, energy, and technology, aiming to create jobs and boost American prosperity.

📍 In Qatar, President Trump met with His Highness Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to advance U.S.-Qatar cooperation across key sectors like counterterrorism, trade, and education.

📍 Following his Middle East trip, Secretary Rubio traveled to Türkiye for meetings with NATO counterparts. Secretary Rubio emphasized the U.S. priorities ahead of this year's NATO Summit, including increased defense spending.

Next up, Secretary Rubio is headed to Italy and the Holy See as a member of the U.S. delegation attending Pope Leo XIV's inaugural Mass on May 18.

Driving American Prosperity Through Investment

In remarks at the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit, Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau emphasizes the importance of foreign direct investment in the U.S. and the Department's role in building commercial and economic ties with countries around the world. (State Dept.)

On May 13, Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau addressed international investors at the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit. This weeklong event connects overseas companies with U.S. economic development organizations, industry experts, and potential financial backers, spurring U.S. economic growth. 

The Deputy Secretary highlighted the U.S. as the top global destination for foreign direct investment. "Since the first Investment Summit in 2011, SelectUSA has attracted thousands of international companies and economic development representatives, generating over $135 billion in new investment projects across the United States and its territories," he said in an exclusive piece on our Substack page.

U.S. Welcomes Afrikaner Refugees

Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau greets a group of Afrikaner refugees arriving in the United States on May 12, 2025. (State Dept.)

On May 12, Deputy Secretary Landau welcomed the first group of Afrikaner refugees to the United States as part of the Administration's commitment to protect victims of racial discrimination.

News You May Have Missed

• India and Pakistan agreed to an immediate ceasefire and committed to future negotiations, following talks led by Vice President Vance and Secretary Rubio. 
• We celebrated the release of Edan Alexander, an American who was held hostage for 583 days in Gaza.
• We hosted officials from  Brazil for the 9th Disarmament and Nonproliferation Dialogue, engaging on nuclear safeguards and arms control to ensure a safer and more secure world.
• We launched a first-of-its-kind partnership with Ukraine that will support the country's reconstruction and long-term economic success.
• Secretary Rubio shared a message for National Police Week, paying tribute to those who have laid down their lives in the line of duty, including four of our Diplomatic Security Service special agents.

Looking Ahead

• May 26: Memorial Day

Note to Our Readers

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