Trump's Red Carpet Welcome for Saudi Crown Prince: Strategic Partnership Amid Defense Deals and Middle East Peace Efforts

Trump and Saudi Crown Prince walk along the Colonnade at the White House

United States:

President Donald Trump extended a grand ceremonial welcome to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday, marking the Saudi leader's first visit to the United States since journalist Jamal Khashoggi's controversial death in 2018.

The White House reception featured an impressive military display, including F-35 stealth fighters that are part of a planned sale to Riyadh. The Saudi prince was greeted with cannon salutes and a horse parade, underscoring Trump's commitment to strengthening the alliance between the two nations and his personal relationship with the Crown Prince.

Adding star power to the day's events, Portuguese soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays in Saudi Arabia, was invited to attend the White House ceremonies, according to a White House official.

Trump has emphasized improving relations with the oil-rich Gulf kingdom, referring to Saudi Arabia as a "great ally" while announcing his intention to sell advanced F-35 stealth fighters to Riyadh. This decision comes despite reservations from Israel and concerns from US officials about potential technology transfer risks to China.

The visit will also see Trump sign a framework agreement for civilian nuclear cooperation, addressing another previously contentious issue between the nations.

'Honoring Saudi Arabia'

The 40-year-old Crown Prince has cultivated strong ties with Trump and his family over the years. These relations were reinforced when Trump visited Saudi Arabia in May, receiving an extravagant welcome and pledges for $600 billion in investments.

Saudi Arabia is expected to announce a "multi-billion dollar investment" in artificial intelligence infrastructure in the United States during Tuesday's meetings.

Trump will also encourage Prince Mohammed to normalize relations with Israel as part of his broader Middle East peace initiative following the Gaza conflict.

"We're more than meeting," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday. "We're honoring Saudi Arabia, the Crown Prince."

The day's agenda includes an Oval Office meeting, followed by a gala dinner hosted by First Lady Melania Trump.

For Prince Mohammed, this visit represents an opportunity to reset relations after the Khashoggi killing, which severely strained ties with Washington. US intelligence assessments had suggested the Crown Prince approved the operation at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, though Saudi authorities have denied this.

Jamal Khashoggi's widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, expressed to CNN that her husband's murder had "destroyed my life" and voiced hope that Washington would remember American values of human rights and democracy while pursuing relations with Riyadh.

Security Guarantees

Prince Mohammed brings his own priorities to Washington, seeking stronger US security assurances following Israeli strikes on Qatar in September that unsettled Gulf states.

Beyond the F-35 jets, Riyadh aims to acquire advanced air and missile defense systems and secure access to high-technology chips crucial for its artificial intelligence ambitions.

However, experts believe Saudi Arabia is unlikely to agree to normalization with Israel at this stage, despite Trump's goal of bringing Riyadh into the Abraham Accords initiative from his first term.

Potential Saudi steps toward normalization with Israel, in exchange for security and energy guarantees, were suspended after the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.

Riyadh appears unwilling to change its position without progress on establishing a Palestinian state, a priority in its international diplomatic efforts.