Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pledged a staggering $600 billion in trade and investment with the United States over the next four years. The announcement came during a congratulatory phone call to Donald Trump on his return to the White House, according to Saudi state media on Thursday.
As the de facto leader of the world’s largest oil exporter, Prince Mohammed affirmed Saudi Arabia’s intention to deepen its economic ties with the U.S. under the Trump administration. “The crown prince affirmed the kingdom’s intention to broaden its investments and trade with the United States over the next four years, in the amount of $600 billion, and potentially beyond that,” reported the Saudi Press Agency.
While the details of the fund’s sources or allocation remain unspecified, the investment represents more than half of Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product. During the call, Prince Mohammed also conveyed congratulations from his father, King Salman, to Trump on his inauguration.
Strengthening US-Saudi Relations
During Trump’s first term as president, Saudi Arabia became a key ally, with the two nations forging close ties in energy, security, and trade. Trump’s first international visit in 2017 was to Saudi Arabia, where he was welcomed with grand celebrations, including a sword dance and an air force flyover.
In a recent lighthearted remark, Trump hinted at the financial allure of a second visit. “I did it with Saudi Arabia last time because they agreed to buy $450 billion worth of our product,” he said, adding he would consider another visit if the kingdom committed to “another 450 or 500 billion dollars.”
The Trump administration is expected to pursue normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, building on the Abraham Accords that saw the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco establish ties with Israel during his first term.
Challenges Ahead
Saudi Arabia has maintained that it will not recognize Israel without progress toward a Palestinian state, a stance that stalled talks during the Gaza conflict. However, the recent ceasefire and easing regional tensions may create a pathway for renewed discussions.
In exchange for recognizing Israel, Saudi Arabia is reportedly seeking a defense pact with the U.S. and assistance in developing a civil nuclear program.
New U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held discussions with Prince Mohammed on Thursday, addressing regional issues such as Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon, as well as “threats posed by Iran and its proxies.” According to Rubio’s spokesperson, the two leaders also explored opportunities to enhance their countries’ economic partnership, including collaboration in artificial intelligence.
Post-Presidency Ties
Despite tensions in 2019, when Trump was criticized for his response to an Iranian-linked attack on Saudi oil facilities, both sides have maintained strong economic connections. Following his departure from office, Trump’s private business interests, including the Trump Organization, have benefited from Saudi investment and construction deals.
Notably, Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, defended receiving a $2 billion investment from Saudi Arabia for his private equity firm, raising questions about the continued financial ties between Trump and the kingdom.
With Prince Mohammed’s renewed pledge, U.S.-Saudi relations under Trump’s second term could see further economic collaboration, while geopolitical challenges, including Iranian tensions and Middle East peace efforts, remain critical factors shaping their partnership.
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