A significant meeting took place at the White House as President Donald Trump welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The summit was a blend of substantial economic promises, critical defense policy discussions, and a clear demonstration of personal rapport between the two leaders. President Trump focused on the positive economic implications of Saudi Arabia’s commitments, largely deferring questions related to human rights concerns.
A primary topic of conversation revolved around the proposed sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, with President Trump voicing his support for the deal. He indicated that Israel’s strategic military edge would be maintained. Israel has indicated that it might consent to the sale if Saudi Arabia moves forward with normalization under the Abraham Accords. Crown Prince Mohammed stated that Saudi Arabia desires to join the accords but requires a definitive path toward a two-state solution. Progress was also reported on broader security agreements, including civilian nuclear cooperation.
The visit was Prince Mohammed’s first to the White House since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an event that U.S. intelligence agencies had attributed to him. Trump deliberately downplayed the controversy, referring to Khashoggi as controversial and stating the Crown Prince’s lack of direct involvement. Prince Mohammed acknowledged the difficulty of the situation for Saudi Arabia and confirmed that corrective actions and investigations had taken place. Trump also briefly acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s ongoing human rights reforms, including efforts related to women’s rights.
The reception highlighted the strong personal bond between Trump and MBS, with warm greetings and shared moments. Trump openly praised their long-standing friendship. Economically, the summit saw a major announcement from Saudi Arabia, pledging to increase its investments in the United States from $600 billion to $1 trillion. These substantial financial commitments are targeted towards emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and significant joint ventures, aiming to bolster economic ties and create future opportunities.