Washington, Nov 19: US President Donald Trump welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House for his first visit since the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The meeting signaled a dramatic reset in US–Saudi relations, accompanied by major business announcements, strategic defence deals, and renewed debates over human rights concerns.
Here are the five key takeaways from the high-profile visit:
1. Trump dismisses US intelligence on Khashoggi killing
Trump rejected longstanding US intelligence assessments that the crown prince likely approved Khashoggi’s murder, calling him “extremely controversial” and insisting MBS “knew nothing about it.” MBS described the killing as a “painful” and “huge mistake” and said Saudi Arabia took all proper steps to investigate.
2. Saudi investments in US surge to USD 1 trillion
Saudi Arabia announced that its investments in the US will now rise to USD 1 trillion, up from the previously planned USD 600 billion. The crown prince credited Trump’s policies for creating long-term opportunities, while Trump insisted he had no financial involvement with his family’s business interests in the kingdom.
3. Major defence deals confirmed
The US agreed to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia and nearly 300 American-made tanks. Additional agreements covered capital markets, critical minerals, and counter terror finance cooperation. The timing of these deals raised concerns over regional military balance, particularly regarding Israel.
4. Trump rolls out state visit style welcome
MBS received a ceremony with a military flyover, Marine Band fanfare, and a Presidential Walk of Fame showcase. A black-tie dinner in the East Room included high-profile figures such as Elon Musk, Jensen Huang, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Trump also announced that Saudi Arabia would be designated a major non-NATO ally, strengthening symbolic military ties.
5. Abraham Accords and Middle East diplomacy
Trump pushed for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords to further regional stability. Riyadh reiterated that any agreement must include a clear path toward a Palestinian state. “We want to be part of the Abraham Accords, but we want also to be sure that we secure a clear path of a two state solution,” Prince Mohammed said.
The White House meeting underscores both economic and strategic recalibration in US–Saudi relations, while human rights questions continue to shadow the partnership.