US President Donald Trump will receive Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with full honors on Tuesday, his first visit to the United States since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The visit is expected to include the signing of defense and nuclear agreements between the two nations.
Although MBS is not officially a head of state and is only the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, Trump has reportedly planned a grand reception for him, complete with a fly-by, cannon salute, and gala dinner.
Trump has made strengthening relations with Saudi Arabia one of his priorities. On Monday, he said he will proceed with the sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, defying opposition from Israel. He will also sign a framework for civilian nuclear cooperation, sources said.
Trump hopes to encourage MBS to normalize relations with Israel as part of a wider Middle East peace plan after the Gaza war. “We’re more than meeting,” Trump said on Air Force One last Friday. “We’re honoring Saudi Arabia, the Crown Prince.”
Prince Mohammed bin Salman First Visit to US After Khashoggi’s Murder
This is MBS’s first visit to the US since the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 that sparked outrage around the world. US intelligence had pointed to MBS approving the killing inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, which Saudi officials deny.
Nevertheless, MBS has maintained close relations with Trump and his family despite the controversy. This May, Trump visited Saudi Arabia, where he was welcomed with investment pledges amounting to $600 billion.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman Security and Defense Concerns
MBS will also discuss US security guarantees. After Israeli attacks on Qatar in September, the Gulf region felt tense. Saudi Arabia wants to buy F-35 jets and advanced air and missile defense systems. The kingdom also wants high-tech chips to support its AI projects.
Trump Urges Prince Mohammed bin Salman for Normalization With Israel
Trump had urged Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords in normalizing ties with Israel, but the kingdom is unlikely to agree now. Plans for normalization had been put on hold after Israel’s Gaza war in October 2023. Saudi Arabia has insisted it will only go forward after progress toward the creation of a Palestinian state.
Business Deals and Investments Trump and his family have very close business relations with Saudi Arabia. On the eve of the visit, Saudi developer Dar Global said that it was partnering with the Trump Organization to develop a luxury hotel in the Maldives. Investors can finance the project with digital tokens.
