US President Donald Trump is meeting Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday to reposition one of Washington’s most significant partnerships.
The talks will focus on defence, trade and technology cooperation, alongside discussions on artificial intelligence, security and nuclear energy.
The meeting follows Trump’s earlier visit to the kingdom in May, when Saudi Arabia announced a large trade and investment commitment to the US.
With both governments seeking long-term strategic advantage, this week’s discussions are designed to turn that earlier commitment into practical progress.
Expanding trade
The US and Saudi Arabia are approaching the talks with clear commercial priorities.
Trump is focusing on increasing the kingdom’s purchases of American goods and services and encouraging more Saudi investments in US companies.
Saudi Arabia is aiming for greater access to American innovation to support its Vision 2030 reforms.
The economic plan seeks to diversify the kingdom’s industries beyond oil by building new capabilities in technology, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence.
The US Saudi Investment Forum, scheduled for Nov. 19, is expected to be central to this effort.
The forum is designed to help both sides confirm new economic agreements and strengthen long-term commercial ties.
Investment momentum
Saudi Arabia has been working to create a more appealing environment for foreign companies as it aims to rebalance its investment relationship with the US.
Vision 2030 has already opened up a wide range of opportunities for US firms that want to expand operations in the kingdom.
Access to reliable, low-cost energy and large areas of land has made it an attractive location for American companies looking to scale artificial intelligence and data-driven activities.
While Saudi purchases of US products are expected to increase, analysts believe that US investment in the kingdom could accelerate even more in the coming years as the reforms deliver real structural changes.
The forum later this month is expected to highlight these opportunities.
Image rebuilding
The trip marks the first visit to the US by the Saudi Prince since 2018, when the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside a Saudi consulate in Istanbul sparked global condemnation.
A US intelligence report later concluded that the Crown Prince had approved the operation.
The episode placed Saudi Arabia under intense international scrutiny and intensified criticism of its record on gender equality and human rights.
Since then, the kingdom has sought to rebuild its global image by positioning itself as a diplomatic actor in the Middle East and promoting major sporting events.
The decision to host the 2034 FIFA men’s World Cup is one of the most visible parts of this effort.
Regional positioning
The renewed engagement with Washington is taking place at a time of shifting regional dynamics.
Iran, long regarded as Saudi Arabia’s principal regional rival, has been weakened by recent joint US and Israeli strikes.
This has strengthened Saudi Arabia’s position in the region and created an opportunity for closer strategic alignment with the US.
As regional tensions evolve, both sides see value in reinforcing cooperation across defence, energy, and technology.
Trump’s meeting with the Saudi Prince is intended to build on this developing alignment and ensure that the partnership can adapt to the changing political and security landscape.
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