Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Strengthen Ties Throughout Riyadh Go to
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Might 14, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman showcased their shut relationship throughout Trump’s go to to Riyadh on Might 13, marking the primary cease of his Center East tour. On the U.S.-Saudi Funding Discussion board, Trump praised the crown prince, calling him an “unbelievable man” and lauding Saudi Arabia’s transformation right into a “enterprise, cultural, and high-tech capital.” The occasion, attended by world CEOs like Elon Musk, Jensen Huang, and Larry Fink, culminated in a $600 billion Saudi funding pledge into the U.S., together with a $142 billion arms deal.
The go to, which started with a ceremonial escort of Air Power One by Saudi F-15 jets, featured lavish receptions, together with a lavender-carpet welcome and a state dinner at Dir’iyah’s UNESCO website. Trump’s speech emphasised financial prosperity, with the leaders signing agreements on power, protection, and know-how. He additionally introduced the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria, a transfer praised by the crown prince, and met briefly with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa to induce normalization with Israel through the Abraham Accords.
Trump’s heat rapport with the crown prince, whom he jokingly mentioned he “likes an excessive amount of,” contrasts sharply with the Biden administration’s cooler stance, significantly after the 2018 Jamal Khashoggi homicide. Social media posts on X mirrored Saudi satisfaction within the partnership, with some calling it a “bromance for the ages.” Nevertheless, the go to drew criticism over Trump’s enterprise ties, together with Trump Group initiatives within the Gulf, and his acceptance of a Qatari Boeing jet as a future Air Power One, elevating moral issues amongst U.S. lawmakers.
The go to underscores Trump’s deal-focused Center East technique, prioritizing financial and protection ties over geopolitical tensions just like the Gaza battle, although he expressed hope for Saudi Arabia to affix the Abraham Accords as soon as regional stability improves.
Sources: CNBC, Reuters, BBC, NBC Information, The New York Instances, posts on X
