A planning note reported viewed by Reuters has indicated that Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been invited to a Saudi-U.S. investment forum in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The event is expected to be held on Tuesday.

Musk’s reported invitation comes on the sidelines of United States President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East.

Musk’s Invitation

As per Reuters, the upcoming investment forum is expected to be attended by some of the most distinguished people in the investment world. These include the CEOs of high-profile companies such as Blackrock, Citigroup, IBM, Boeing, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, and United Airlines, among others, the publication noted. 

Considering the other attendees of the event, Elon Musk would likely fit right thanks to his leadership of companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, as well as his close ties with the Trump administration through his work at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Musk and Saudi Arabia

Elon Musk’s relationship with Riyadh have notably improved since the start of Trump’s second term as United States president. Highlighting this improvement was Tesla’s launch in Saudi, which was held in April. Tesla’s launch was a notable event based on videos posted of the occasion, with the company showcasing some of its most exciting products, including Optimus, the Cybertruck, and the Cybercab, its self-driving robotaxi.

Tesla’s launch in Saudi Arabia, as well as his reported invitation to the upcoming investment forum, suggests that the CEO’s feud with Yasir Al Rumayyan, head of the $925 billion Public Investment Fund, has ended. The PIF Head was among the people involved in Elon Musk’s infamous “funding secured” tweet in 2018, which resulted in hefty fines and his removal as Tesla’s Board Chair. The PIF also sold its Tesla holdings and invested in another EV company, Lucid Group Inc.

Tesla shares (NASDAQ:TSLA) are on a tear on Monday’s premarket amidst reports that the United States and China have agreed to significantly roll back tariffs on each other’s goods for an initial 90-day period.

As of writing, the premarket price of TSLA shares suggests that the electric vehicle maker might end Monday with a $1 trillion valuation once more.

Tesla and China

TSLA stock was up about 8% at $322.56 per share on Monday’s premarket. As noted in a report from Barron’s, these prices suggest that the company could achieve a trillion-dollar valuation again, a level not seen since late February. Similar to Tesla, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average were also up 2.8% and 2.1%, respectively, on Monday’s premarket.

The United States and China’s decision to roll back its tariffs would likely be appreciated by CEO Elon Musk. Despite working for the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and despite Tesla being least affected by the Trump administration’s tariffs due to its strong domestic supply chains in the United States, China, and Europe, Musk has noted that he is a supporter of non-predatory tariffs.

The United States and China’s Agreement

In a joint statement from the United States and China posted on the White House’s official website, the two countries agreed to lower reciprocal tariffs on each other by 115% for 90 days. This means that the United States will temporarily lower its overall tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, as noted in an ABC 12 report. China, on the other hand, will also lower its tariffs on American goods from 125% to 10%.

The talks were led by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, as per the joint statement. Bessent shared his thoughts about the matter in a comment in Geneva. “The consensus from both delegations is neither side wants to be decoupled, and what have occurred with these very high tariffs … was an equivalent of an embargo, and neither side wants that. We do want trade. We want more balance in trade. And I think both sides are committed to achieving that,” he said. 

A spokesperson from China’s Commerce Ministry also shared a statement about the matter. As per the spokesperson, the deal was an “important step by both sides to resolve differences through equal-footing dialogue and consultation, laying the groundwork and creating conditions for further bridging gaps and deepening cooperation.”

Starlink services are set to transform customer experiences on ScotRail trains traversing the Scottish Highlands. The pilot program, launched in collaboration with Clarus Networks, aims to bridge the digital divide in rural Scotland.

ScotRail has partnered with Clarus Networks to equip six class 158 trains with Starlink equipment for a six-month trial. The Starlink-enabled trains will operate routes from Inverness to Wick, Thurso, Kyle of Lochalsh, and Aberdeen.

“This project marks a major step forward in closing the digital divide for rural rail routes. By harnessing the power of Low Earth Orbit satellite technology, we’re able to deliver fast, reliable connectivity in some of the most remote parts of the UK rail network.

“This approach helps overcome the coverage and performance limitations of traditional mobile networks – a challenge faced by rail operators globally,” noted Mike Butler, Clarus Networks’ Director of Rail & Innovation.

The Starlink x ScotRail train trial is backed by the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and the Scottish Futures Trust. It addresses longstanding connectivity challenges in trains traveling through rural areas. Starlink internet is expected to deliver the benefits listed below to ScotRail customers.

These advancements align with the Scottish government’s push for better rural services, fostering community growth and resilience. Richard Lochhead MSP, Business Minister, emphasized that digital connectivity was a priority in the government’s recent Programme for Government, which supports Scotland’s economic resilience and equitable access to public services.

“As set out in last week’s Programme for Government, the Scottish government places great emphasis on digital connectivity. It supports Scotland’s economic resilience and helps everyone, regardless of location, to access improved public services and opportunities,” commented the Business Minister.

If successful, the trial could expand Starlink’s services across ScotRail’s remaining class 158 fleet. The remaining fleet covers additional rural routes like the West Highlands, Stranraer, Dumfries, and the Borders. The project may also influence the inclusion of satellite technology in future train procurements, setting a precedent for rail connectivity worldwide.

As Starlink services continue to expand worldwide, it underscores the potential of LEO technology to revolutionize rural transport. With strong governmental support and promising benefits, the initiative could redefine connectivity for Scotland’s remote communities, paving the way for broader adoption in the UK’s rail network.