Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has informed President Donald Trump of the kingdom’s plan to invest $600 billion in expanded trade and economic ties with the United States over the next four years, according to Saudi Arabia’s state news agency.
During a phone conversation, Crown Prince Mohammed said that the Trump administration’s expected economic reforms could pave the way for “unprecedented economic prosperity,” creating fertile ground for increased Saudi investments.
While details of the $600 billion investment—such as its sources and allocation—remain unclear, the crown prince suggested that the figure could rise if additional opportunities emerge.
Earlier in the week, Trump suggested he may make Saudi Arabia the destination for his first foreign visit following his election, provided Riyadh agrees to purchase $450 to $500 billion worth of American products, as he claims occurred during his 2017 inauguration and subsequent visit.
Responding to reporters’ questions about his international travel plans, Trump remarked, “Traditionally, the first foreign trip has been to the UK, but I chose Saudi Arabia last time because they agreed to buy $450 billion worth of American products.”
He added, “I told them I’d make the trip, but only if they committed to buying American goods, and they did. It was probably the most underreported story I’ve ever been part of.”
When asked about a potential repeat visit, Trump said, “If Saudi Arabia wanted to buy another $450 or $500 billion—adjusted for inflation—I think I would likely go there.”
Trump and Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has previously demonstrated strong economic ties with the Trump administration.
Trump’s 2017 visit to Saudi Arabia was a landmark event, as it marked the first time a US president selected a Middle Eastern country for their inaugural foreign trip.
The visit featured a summit with leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and focused on counterterrorism, economic collaboration, and countering Iran’s regional influence.
A $110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia was announced during the trip, with projections of $350 billion over ten years.
However, subsequent reports, including an analysis by the Associated Press in 2018, suggested the actual agreements were far smaller, with confirmed purchases totaling $14.5 billion at that time.
The Trump administration worked to bolster ties with Gulf nations by emphasizing arms sales and economic partnerships while aligning with Saudi-led efforts to counter Iran.
However, relations faced challenges, particularly after the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which sparked bipartisan criticism of U.S. support for Saudi Arabia.
Following Trump’s departure from office, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund invested $2 billion in a firm founded by Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and former senior adviser.
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