WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s first call with a foreign head of state since taking office was with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, a country with which Trump and his family have significant current – and pending − business interests.
The two leaders discussed efforts to bring stability to the Middle East, bolster regional security and combat terrorism and economic development. They also talked about Saudi Arabia’s “international economic ambitions over the next four years as well as trade and other opportunities to increase the mutual prosperity” of the United States and the oil-rich kingdom.
That’s according to a White House readout of the call, which occurred Wednesday, Trump’s second full day in office.
Left unmentioned in the very short official announcement was whether Trump and bin Salman discussed the Trump family’s business ventures in Saudi Arabia − including real estate worth potentially billions of dollars – or their mutual interest in the Trump-backed, Saudi-funded LIV Golf tour.

Watchdog groups contacted by USA TODAY said they’re concerned that the call suggests Trump may seek to exploit his vast new political power and influence to help the Trump Organization and its sprawling business empire.
The White House, the Trump Organization and the Saudi embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment about whether Trump’s outreach to the Saudi leader could create the appearance of a potential for…