Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) arrived in the United States this week for his first visit since the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, signaling a major push for economic and defense cooperation with the Trump administration. The de facto Saudi ruler is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump on Tuesday to cement ties that analysts say are increasingly vital to both nations.
🇸🇦🇺🇸 SAUDI CROWN PRINCE BREAKS PROTOCOL TO GREET TRUMP HIMSELF
Instead of sending some local royal to do the honors, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince personally met Trump on the tarmac.
That’s a royal-level welcome — not something they pull out for just anyone.
When Biden visited… https://t.co/XevuLdqvlq pic.twitter.com/yIsNchcGwN
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 13, 2025
The talks are expected to focus on deepening defense, trade, and technology links, including cooperation on artificial intelligence, security, and civilian nuclear energy. Central to the agenda is following up on Saudi Arabia’s massive $600 billion trade and investment pledge made during Trump’s visit to the Kingdom earlier this year. A U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum is planned for the following day to finalize more economic agreements.
For MBS, the high-profile visit is a significant step in rehabilitating his global image following the Khashoggi scandal, which a U.S. intelligence report concluded he had approved. While the Crown Prince denies ordering the killing, the kingdom has since focused on brokering regional peace agreements and pursuing major international sporting events, like the 2034 World Cup, to improve its international standing.
With a regional rival, Iran, seen as weakened, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a key strategic ally, looking to the U.S. for security assurances and access to advanced technology, particularly as it pursues its ambitious Vision 2030 economic reforms.
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