Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has committed to increasing his country’s planned investment in the U.S. economy to nearly $1 trillion over the next year, marking a major escalation in economic and strategic ties between the two nations. The announcement was made during a high-profile visit to the White House, where Crown Prince Mohammed met with President Donald Trump in an extraordinary display of ceremony and diplomacy.
The commitment represents a significant increase from the $600 billion initially referenced by Trump, with investments expected to span multiple sectors, including manufacturing, Wall Street, and advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence. Both leaders emphasized the anticipated economic impact, particularly in terms of job creation.
Trump welcomed the Crown Prince with a lavish reception on the South Lawn, featuring a military honor guard, cannon salute, and a flyover of U.S. fighter jets. The visit marked the Crown Prince’s first trip to the White House in more than seven years, highlighting a renewed focus on U.S.–Saudi relations. The two leaders held talks in the Oval Office, shared lunch in the Cabinet Room, and attended a formal black-tie dinner in the evening.
In addition to investment commitments, the discussions touched on regional security and diplomacy. Crown Prince Mohammed emphasized Saudi Arabia’s willingness to normalize relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords, contingent on a clear path toward Palestinian statehood. “We want peace for the Israelis. We want peace for the Palestinians… We want them to coexist peacefully in the region,” he said.
The meeting also covered defense and nuclear cooperation. Trump announced that Saudi Arabia would acquire F-35 fighter jets, similar to those possessed by Israel, signaling a major shift in U.S. military policy in the region. Discussions reportedly included broader defense agreements, civil nuclear cooperation, and multibillion-dollar deals aimed at expanding Saudi investment in U.S. infrastructure, including AI and advanced technologies.
The Saudi pledge underscores the Kingdom’s strategic pivot toward the United States after a period of strained relations under the Biden administration. Officials indicated that the investments would involve targeted projects across multiple U.S. states and sectors, potentially reshaping both economic and geopolitical ties in the coming years.
