Trump's week in review: Middle East trip, trade deal with China, investigating the abortion pill

1. Trump goes on a trip to the Middle East

During an overseas trip to the Middle East this week, Trump reiterated his previous proposal for the U.S. to take control of the Gaza Strip amid Israel's war against the U.S.-recognized terror group Hamas, which has controlled the strip since 2007. 

Speaking in Qatar on Thursday, Trump discussed how he would like to "take" control of the Gaza Strip and transform it into a "freedom zone."

"We're working very hard in Gaza," he stressed. "Gaza has been a territory of death and destruction."

In February, Trump shared his vision of the territory as a "Riviera of the Middle East."

While in Qatar, Trump expressed optimism that peace with Iran without resorting to military action is a real possibility.

"We're not going to be making any nuclear dust in Iran," he said. "I think we're getting close to maybe doing a deal without having to do this."

Maintaining that "we'll see what happens," Trump declared, "we're in very serious negotiations with Iran for long-term peace, and if we do that, it'll be fantastic."

Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is working behind the scenes to secure a deal. Witkoff had offered Iran an initial written proposal that includes parameters for a civilian nuclear program and requirements for monitoring and verification, Axios reported. Before Witkoff submitted the proposal, Iran's foreign minister had offered several other proposals. 

In a statement published Thursday, the White House announced that while visiting Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, Trump secured an agreement that would result in the UAE investing $200 billion into the U.S. economy.

Companies based in the UAE have committed $14.5 billion to Boeing and General Electric for constructing 28 aircraft that will support 60,000 jobs and $4 billion for creating an aluminum smelting project in Oklahoma that will create 1,000 jobs.

Meanwhile, the deal will also involve Qualcomm setting up a Global Engineering Center in Abu Dhabi focused on artificial intelligence in addition to "supporting U.S. research, engineering jobs and demand for American technologies." The agreement expands upon "the UAE's landmark commitment to a 10-year, $1.4 trillion investment framework that will contribute to the U.S. boom in AI infrastructure, semiconductors, energy, quantum computing, biotechnology, and manufacturing."

The president's overseas trip also included a visit to Saudi Arabia, where he announced that he would be "ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness."

Trump's announcement received a standing ovation from Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, whom Trump cited as having an influence on his decision to remove sanctions from Syria.