By Reena Bhardwaj
Washington, DC [US], November 19 (ANI): In his first visit to the United States in seven years, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received one of the most elaborate welcomes accorded to any foreign leader at the White House this year. The November 18 meeting with President Donald Trump resulted in major policy announcements that could reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics and signal a significant reset in US–Saudi relations.
Ceremonial Grandeur
The Saudi crown prince was welcomed with full ceremonial honors, including an Army mounted guard, a military flyover by six aircraft, and cannon salutes on the South Lawn. President Trump guided his guest along the newly created “Presidential Walk of Fame” outside the West Wing before heading into the Oval Office.
“We have an extremely respected man in the Oval Office today, and a friend of mine for a long time,” Trump said during the welcome ceremony.
Bilateral Talks: ‘A Long-Term Partner’
Inside the Oval Office, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighted the strategic depth of the US–Saudi relationship, calling the United States a “long-term partner” in shaping future technologies and global economic stability.
“Saudi-U.S. relations span nearly nine decades, and today marks an especially important moment as both countries look toward the future. Saudi Arabia believes in America’s economic direction and the foundations being set for growth and global stability,” the Crown Prince said.
He added that the Kingdom would unveil new investment agreements during the visit, particularly in technology, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, and emerging sectors.
“We are not creating big opportunities to please America. It’s real opportunities,” he said. “For example, we ask about the AI and the chips. Saudi Arabia has a huge demand of unique computing power, and we are going to spend in the short term around USD 50 billion by consuming those semiconductors in Saudi Arabia.”
Military Breakthroughs: Abraham Accords and F-35 Fighter Jets
On regional matters, the crown prince reiterated Saudi Arabia’s interest in joining the Abraham Accords, the US-led 2020 initiative normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab nations. However, he emphasized the necessity of a “clear path” toward a two-state solution.
“We want to be part of the accord, but we also want to be sure that we secure a clear path of a two-state solution,” he said. “We want them to coexist peacefully in the region, and we will do our best to reach a deal.”
In a major announcement, President Trump confirmed plans to sell F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia—ending Israel’s longstanding exclusivity on the aircraft in the region. The move introduces a significant shift in the regional military balance, though the US has traditionally maintained Israel’s “qualitative military edge.”
Massive Investment Pledge: USD 600bn to Nearly USD 1 Trillion
The crown prince announced that Saudi Arabia would increase its investments in the United States from USD 600 billion to nearly USD 1 trillion, targeting AI, data centers, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies.
“Today and tomorrow, we are going to announce that we are going to increase that $600bn to almost $1tn of investment, real investment and real opportunity in many areas,” he told reporters.
Trump also signaled that his administration was considering approving advanced semiconductor technology sales to Saudi Arabia.
Star-Studded State Dinner
A black-tie dinner in the East Room, hosted by President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, featured guests including tech entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, and football star Cristiano Ronaldo. Senior US officials such as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio attended as well.
During the evening, Trump announced his intention to designate Saudi Arabia a major non-NATO ally, enabling closer defense cooperation and easier access to American military equipment.
“A stronger and more capable alliance will advance the interests of both countries, and it will serve the highest interests of peace,” Trump said.
Tough Questions: Khashoggi and 9/11
When asked by an ABC News reporter about the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the crown prince called the incident “painful” and “a huge mistake,” emphasizing that Saudi Arabia had investigated thoroughly and implemented reforms.
President Trump intervened sharply, calling the question disrespectful. “Things happen,” he said. “But [the crown prince] knew nothing about it. And we can leave it at that.”
Bin Salman also addressed concerns about Saudi Arabia’s alleged links to the September 11, 2001 attacks, claiming that certain intelligence reports were designed to damage US–Saudi relations. Strengthening the partnership, he said, was “critical for the safety of the world” and for combating extremism.
Analysis
The crown prince’s visit represents a strategic refocusing of US–Saudi relations, prioritizing military cooperation, economic investment, and technology partnerships. The proposed F-35 sale and the major non-NATO ally designation constitute the most significant policy shifts in years, with wide-ranging implications for Middle Eastern security.
Whether Saudi Arabia’s conditional interest in the Abraham Accords will translate into formal normalization with Israel remains uncertain, particularly given the Palestinian issue. Analysts also note that the arms sales could limit US leverage in encouraging progress on the two-state pathway.
The enormous investment pledges, though impressive, will require long-term monitoring to determine their realization. (ANI)
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