Trump Meets Saudi Crown Prince in Washington to Discuss Defense, Economy, and Regional Issues
U.S. President Donald Trump met with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday at the White House. The meeting, held in the Oval Office, focused on strengthening economic ties, arms sales, and regional developments.
During the meeting, Trump referred to the Crown Prince as a “close friend” and welcomed him to the White House. According to Trump, Saudi investment in the U.S. has reached $600 billion and is expected to grow to $1 trillion in the future. He also announced that the U.S. is prepared to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia and suggested that the two countries could reach an agreement on nuclear energy.
On political and security matters, Trump described Saudi Arabia as a “true ally” and said the kingdom supports Washington’s efforts to enhance its military capabilities. He stated that U.S.-Saudi relations are “at their best.” However, these ties—centered largely around major economic and arms deals—have faced frequent criticism from human rights organizations over Saudi Arabia’s role in the Yemen war, suppression of activists, and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Trump also spoke on the Venezuela crisis, expressing willingness to talk with President Nicolás Maduro, though he claimed the Venezuelan government has not treated the U.S. appropriately. Reiterating past allegations against Tehran, Trump stated that Iran wants a deal with the U.S. but should not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
Addressing domestic controversies, Trump denied any association with Jeffrey Epstein, the financier accused of human trafficking and sexual abuse, calling him a “deviant and sick individual.” He also said Epstein did not contribute financially to his election campaign.
Trump further announced that he would not attend the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, citing the country’s “inappropriate behavior” regarding global conflicts as the reason for his absence.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in his remarks, said Saudi Arabia seeks a shared future with the United States and aims to increase its investments there to $1 trillion. He also highlighted his country’s advancements in artificial intelligence and ongoing discussions about a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He mentioned Riyadh’s intention to play a meaningful role in Gaza’s reconstruction, although no specific financial commitment has yet been announced.
Despite Trump’s claims of human rights progress in Saudi Arabia, international organizations have strongly questioned the Crown Prince’s direct role in widespread human rights abuses, including the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Bin Salman’s visit to Washington comes as regional populations continue to suffer from the effects of war and poverty, with such meetings often seen as driven more by economic and security deals than actual responses to the real needs of the people.
