Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visits Trump, signing defence and nuclear deals amid Khashoggi controversy and Israel normalisation push
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump will host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with a lavish welcome on Tuesday.
This marks the prince’s first visit to the United States since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Trump plans to roll out the red carpet with a fly-by, cannon fire, and a gala dinner for the kingdom’s de facto ruler.
The president has prioritised boosting ties with the oil-rich Gulf kingdom.
Trump confirmed on Monday he would sell coveted F-35 stealth fighters to Saudi Arabia despite Israeli concerns.
A source familiar with negotiations said they will also sign a framework for civilian nuclear cooperation.
Trump will push Prince Mohammed to normalise relations with Israel as he seeks a wider Middle East peace deal.
“We’re more than meeting,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Friday.
“We’re honouring Saudi Arabia, the Crown Prince.”
The Saudi heir seeks a fresh start after Khashoggi’s murder by Saudi agents sparked global outrage.
US intelligence suggested Prince Mohammed approved the Istanbul consulate operation, which Saudi authorities deny.
The 40-year-old prince has fostered close ties with Trump and his family over the years.
Their relationship was burnished by a lavish welcome and USD 600 billion in investment pledges during Trump’s 2017 Saudi visit.
Prince Mohammed will seek firmer US security guarantees after Israeli strikes on Qatar rattled the Gulf region.
Riyadh wants to buy advanced air and missile defence systems alongside the F-35 jets.
Experts said Saudi Arabia will push hard for access to high-tech chips to fuel its AI ambitions.
The kingdom is unlikely to agree to Israel normalisation despite Trump’s aim for Riyadh joining the Abraham Accords.
“We have a lot of people joining the Abraham Accords and hopefully we are going to get Saudi Arabia very soon,” Trump said earlier this month.
Potential Saudi moves toward normalisation were put on hold after Israel’s war in Gaza erupted in October 2023.
Riyadh appears unwilling to budge without progress on its international push for a Palestinian state.
Trump will look to underscore his “bromance” with Prince Mohammed that both leaders have shown off.
The president is expected to attend a US-Saudi investment forum spotlighting energy and artificial intelligence on Wednesday.
Trump’s family maintains extensive business ties with the Saudis.
Saudi developer Dar Global announced a new partnership with the Trump Organization for a Maldives luxury hotel the day before the prince’s visit.
Investors can participate in its financing through digital tokens. – AFP
