The BRICS TimesTrump will press Prince Mohammed to normalize ties with Israel. He seeks a broader Middle East peace deal after the recent Gaza conflict.
The Grand White House Welcome
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is in the US. President Donald Trump will host him lavishly on Tuesday. They will sign major defense and nuclear agreements. This marks the prince’s first US visit since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump is planning a huge welcome ceremony for the prince. This includes a military fly-by, cannon fire, and a gala dinner. The de facto Saudi ruler is getting a near-state dinner honor. He is not a formal head of state, but he is the kingdom’s effective leader.
Boosting US-Saudi Ties
Trump prioritizes stronger ties with this oil-rich Gulf nation. He announced on Monday the sale of F-35 stealth fighters to Saudi Arabia. This is despite concerns raised by Israel. The leaders will also sign a civilian nuclear cooperation framework. A source close to the talks confirmed this deal. This addresses another past point of disagreement. Trump will also urge Prince Mohammed to normalize ties with Israel. This is part of a push for a wider regional peace deal after the Gaza war.
Honoring the Crown Prince
“We’re more than meeting,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One. He made this statement when asked about the trip last Friday. “We’re honoring Saudi Arabia, the Crown Prince.” The Saudi heir, commonly known as MBS, seeks a fresh start. This is his first US trip since the Khashoggi killing. The murder of the Washington Post columnist by Saudi agents caused a global uproar. The killing also strained US-Washington relations. US intelligence suggested Prince Mohammed approved the Istanbul operation. Saudi authorities, however, deny this allegation.
Deepening Personal and Business Bonds
The 40-year-old prince and Trump’s family have close ties. This bond grew stronger during the President’s May visit to Saudi Arabia. That trip featured a lavish welcome and $600 billion in investment promises. MBS has his own goals for this visit. He wants firmer US security guarantees. This comes after September’s Israeli strikes on US ally Qatar. Those strikes worried the wealthy Gulf region. Riyadh wants F-35 jets and advanced air defense systems. Experts say it will also seek high-tech chips for its AI ambitions.
The Israel Normalization Hurdle
Saudi Arabia will likely not agree to normalize ties with Israel now. This is despite Trump’s hope for them to join the Abraham Accords. He launched these accords in his first term. “We have a lot of people joining the Abraham Accords,” Trump said this month. “Hopefully we are going to get Saudi Arabia very soon.” Potential Saudi normalization was halted. This happened after the devastating Israel-Gaza war began in October 2023. Riyadh seems unwilling to move without progress on a Palestinian state.
Showcasing the ‘Bromance’ and Business
Trump will still try to highlight his “bromance” with Prince Mohammed. Both leaders have emphasized this relationship since Trump’s return. Trump is also expected to attend a US-Saudi investment forum. This event will focus on energy and artificial intelligence in Washington.
The Republican president’s family has large business ties with the Saudis. A Saudi developer, Dar Global, announced a new partnership. This was with the Trump Organization just before the prince’s visit. They will build a luxury hotel in the Maldives. Investors can finance this through digital tokens.
Akshay Didwaniya
Pratik Agrawal
Mayur Mohta
Aditya Didwaniya