The Trump Organization and luxury developer Dar Global Plc have launched sales for real estate projects in Saudi Arabia valued at $10 billion, capitalizing on new regulations that will make foreign investment more accessible. The strategic timing aligns with Saudi Arabia's regulatory reforms designed to attract international capital and support Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 diversification agenda.

Major Project Launches

The firms have agreed to develop Trump International Golf Club Wadi Safar in Riyadh, a comprehensive gated community featuring multiple luxury components. Sales for this project, alongside the $1 billion Trump Plaza in Jeddah, commenced this week to coincide with looser foreign property ownership laws expected to take effect this month.

"We expect a lot of demand locally, but we also have expectations of major interest from international investors because they see this market is just opening up," said Ziad El Chaar, Chief Executive Officer of Dar Global. "People want to join from the beginning."

Regulatory Environment and Market Access

Saudi Arabia's regulatory reforms represent a significant shift in foreign investment accessibility. The kingdom plans to allow non-Saudis to purchase a wider range of real estate assets, including properties in the holy cities of Mecca and Madinah. These changes are part of broader economic liberalization efforts that include opening the Saudi stock market to all investors and easing rules around alcohol consumption to make the kingdom more attractive to foreign investors.

Both the Trump Organization and Dar Global, the London-listed unit of Saudi developer Dar Al Arkan, have identified these reforms as critical factors in accelerating their partnership. The regulatory environment has created opportunities for expanded development across multiple Saudi cities.

Expanded Partnership Portfolio

The collaboration extends beyond the current launches, with plans for a second development in Riyadh and an ongoing Trump Tower project in Jeddah. Neither company has ruled out potential investments in Saudi Arabia's holy cities under the new property laws. The partnership also encompasses developments across the broader Middle East region, including projects in Oman and Qatar.

In the United Arab Emirates, the firms are developing the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Dubai, which will feature the world's highest swimming pool. Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, indicated potential expansion to Abu Dhabi, stating, "I'd say there is no area on Earth that has a stronger real estate environment right now than the Gulf."

Strategic Business Structure

The Trump Organization's international business operations continue under a trust structure managed by Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. This arrangement has been maintained at the start of each presidential term, though it operates as a non-blind trust. The business empire's expansion efforts have raised discussions about potential conflicts of interest given the political landscape.

The partnership between the Trump Organization and Dar Global represents a significant commitment to the Saudi market transformation, with both companies positioning themselves to benefit from the kingdom's economic diversification initiatives and the anticipated influx of foreign capital into the real estate sector.

President Trump has issued a stark warning to Cuba, suggesting the island nation should negotiate a deal with Washington as Venezuelan oil supplies face potential disruption. The warning highlights the critical dependency Cuba has maintained on Venezuelan energy resources for decades.

Trump's Warning to Cuba

Trump delivered his message via Truth Social on Sunday, stating that Cuba would no longer receive oil or money from Venezuela. "THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," Trump wrote on his social media platform.

The President emphasized Cuba's historical reliance on Venezuelan support, noting that "Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela." This relationship has been fundamental to Cuba's energy security and economic stability.

Cuba's Oil Dependency on Venezuela

The potential loss of Venezuelan oil represents a significant challenge for Cuba's energy infrastructure. According to shipping data and documents from Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA, the scale of this dependency is substantial:

Venezuela has served as Cuba's biggest oil supplier, making this relationship crucial for the island's energy needs and economic functioning.

Economic Challenges Facing Cuba

U.S. intelligence assessments have identified significant strains within Cuba's economy, though these evaluations do not necessarily support predictions of imminent political collapse. The CIA's analysis reveals that key economic sectors are experiencing severe difficulties:

• Agriculture sector: Under significant strain due to multiple operational challenges
• Tourism industry: Facing substantial difficulties affecting revenue generation
• Infrastructure: Frequent blackouts disrupting economic activities
• Trade environment: Ongoing sanctions creating additional economic pressures

These challenges compound the potential impact of losing Venezuelan oil supplies, which could make governance more difficult for the administration that has ruled Cuba since the 1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro.

Strategic Implications

The warning comes amid broader geopolitical developments involving Venezuela's leadership and U.S. policy toward the region. The potential disruption of the Cuba-Venezuela oil relationship represents a significant shift in regional energy dynamics that has sustained Cuba's economy for decades.

The loss of Venezuelan support could force Cuba to seek alternative energy sources or diplomatic arrangements, potentially reshaping the island's international relationships and domestic economic policies.