Donald Trump agrees $110bn US-Saudi arms deal during first foreign tour as president

Donald Trump has agreed a $110bn U.S-Saudi arms deal in a move that he says will create "jobs, jobs, jobs" for American citizens.

Mr Trump made the "co-operative" defence agreement - involving a military sales deal which includes the US supplying tanks, combat ships, missile defence systems, radar and communications, and cyber security technology to the nation - shortly after touching down in Saudi Arabia for his first foreign trip as president.

The $110bn agreement is effective immediately but could be worth even more - up to $350bn in total - over the next 10 years.

The President said the deals the U.S. government and private sector had reached would lead to "tremendous investments" in the United States.

Ahead of arriving in the capital Riyadh, President Trump had stated he was visiting the country with the aim of building stronger US-Saudi ties to combat terrorism in the region.

Travelling with wife Melania aboard Air Force One, the US leader was greeted by Saudi King Salman on Saturday and plans to spend two days in Riyadh.

He is the only US leader to make Saudi Arabia, or any majority Muslim country, his first overseas stop.

His decision comes in part to show respect to the region after months of harsh anti-Muslim campaign rhetoric.

The trip is the first stop on a wider international itinerary for Trump. Credit: APTN

As he arrived, President Trump exchanged pleasantries with King Salman, 81, saying it was a "great honour" to be there.

He also took to Twitter to express his pleasure at being in the Middle East.

Part of a wider foreign excursion, he will head to Israel after finishing business in Riyadh, before having an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

Finally, he will meet with NATO allies at a summit in Brussels and the Group of 7 wealthy nations in Sicily.

Trump is aiming to build US-Saudi relations. Credit: AP