Trump Hosts Saudi Crown Prince Amid Major Deals

News Desk 

Washington: President Donald Trump hosted Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday, as the Saudi de facto ruler seeks to strengthen ties with Washington and rehabilitate his global image following the 2018 killing of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The crown prince, making his first White House visit in over seven years, was welcomed with a lavish ceremony on the South Lawn, including a military honor guard, cannon salute, and flyover by US warplanes.

Trump personally greeted bin Salman with a handshake and escorted him inside the White House, where they toured presidential portraits before holding bilateral talks.

Discussions are expected to focus on security cooperation, civil nuclear energy, and multibillion-dollar business deals, including the potential US sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia—a first for the kingdom—which could shift the military balance in the Middle East.

Officials also anticipate deals on defense sales and investments in US artificial intelligence infrastructure, building on a $600 billion Saudi investment pledge announced during Trump’s visit to Riyadh in May.

The visit underscores the strategic US-Saudi relationship, a priority for Trump in his second term. Experts say the president aims to secure a multifaceted partnership that strengthens Saudi ties with the US while keeping the kingdom out of China’s sphere of influence.

Trump is also expected to press bin Salman on joining the Abraham Accords and normalizing relations with Israel, though analysts say Saudi Arabia is unlikely to take such a step without progress toward Palestinian statehood.

While Saudi Arabia continues to face scrutiny over Khashoggi’s murder, the warm reception in Washington signals a recovery in bilateral ties, reflecting Trump’s focus on investment, defense, and strategic cooperation with the kingdom.