Trump to Host Saudi Crown Prince Tues., Security, AI & Nuclear on Agenda/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump will host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House, signaling a deepening U.S. commitment to Saudi Arabia. The meeting may lead to a new security agreement and significant investment announcements, despite opposition from some MAGA-aligned Republicans. Trump’s focus on foreign policy is sparking internal dissent over his “America First” priorities.
Trump-Saudi Meeting: Quick Looks
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to visit the White House on Tuesday.
- Trump may finalize a U.S.-Saudi security pact, similar to Qatar’s agreement.
- MAGA critics question Trump’s focus on foreign policy over domestic issues.
- Saudi investments in the U.S. expected, adding to prior $600 billion commitments.
- Defense and tech deals on the table, including AI chips and possible F-35 sales.
- Saudi interest in U.S. support for nuclear energy and economic reforms grows.
- Trump and MBS maintain a close relationship, with regular weekly calls.
- Critics raise concerns about prioritizing authoritarian allies and economic deals.
Deep Look: Trump Doubles Down on Saudi Relationship Amid MAGA Tensions
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is preparing to solidify U.S. ties with Saudi Arabia this week as he hosts Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House — a move that reflects his strategic pivot toward foreign alliances rooted in economic interests, even as it deepens internal Republican tensions.
The visit, set for Tuesday, marks Mohammed’s first to Washington since he was globally scrutinized for his alleged role in the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Still, Trump plans to roll out the red carpet, including a lavish state dinner, with multiple defense and investment agreements expected to follow.
According to a senior administration official, Trump is considering a bilateral security agreement that would commit the United States to defend Saudi Arabia in case of attack — mirroring an earlier executive order issued for Qatar. This pact, still under discussion, would not require Congressional approval unless submitted as a formal treaty.
Strategic Alignment Despite Israel Normalization Delay
Trump’s enthusiasm for the Saudi alliance comes even though the crown prince has withheld normalization with Israel, a central objective of Trump’s Middle East policy. While the war in Gaza has delayed Saudi-Israel relations, the administration sees Saudi investment and strategic cooperation as meaningful gains.
One senior official emphasized that Trump remains committed to expanding the Abraham Accords, his signature Middle East diplomacy initiative, and is urging Riyadh to eventually sign on. But for now, the focus remains on security cooperation and economic development.
Deals in Defense, Tech, and Energy
Sources close to the matter say Saudi Arabia will likely announce major investments in U.S. infrastructure and innovation, including purchases of American-made AI chips and discussions around nuclear energy cooperation. The kingdom is also eyeing a potential deal for F-35 fighter jets, which could further cement defense ties and reduce Saudi reliance on Chinese military support.
Trump’s goal is to ensure U.S. leverage over Riyadh and to undercut China’s influence in the Gulf region, while boosting domestic defense and tech industries with foreign capital.
Economic Priorities for Both Nations
For Trump, Saudi investments are a win — particularly as his administration prepares to host another Saudi-led investment conference at the Kennedy Center this week. A previous summit in May yielded over $600 billion in Saudi commitments, and Trump is keen to position himself as a broker of global capital.
For Saudi Arabia, economic reform is equally urgent. The country’s leadership is under pressure to modernize beyond oil, pivoting toward technology, real estate, and health care. The Public Investment Fund, the kingdom’s $1 trillion sovereign wealth fund, is seeking foreign partnerships to boost returns amid high interest rates and uneven progress on infrastructure projects like the “linear city” megaproject.
Internal GOP Divide Over Foreign Focus
Despite the high-level diplomacy, Trump is drawing criticism from within his own base. Prominent MAGA figures such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Steve Bannon have urged the president to prioritize domestic issues over international dealmaking.
Greene, referencing recent foreign visits, posted on social media last week, saying she wanted to see “nonstop meetings at the WH on domestic policy, not foreign policy.” Her frustration intensified after Trump welcomed Syria’s new leader at the White House.
Trump, never one to hold back, fired back at Greene, calling her a “ranting lunatic” and stating he was withdrawing his support for her re-election campaign.
Security and Peace in the Middle East
Trump’s Middle East agenda continues to include efforts at diplomacy in conflict zones. His administration helped broker the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire, with Qatar playing a central role. Following a Sept. 9 Israeli missile strike in Doha, Trump issued an executive order pledging U.S. military protection for Qatar, effectively extending NATO-style guarantees to key Gulf allies.
Now, Saudi Arabia wants a similar, possibly more formal agreement, which could further deepen U.S. engagement in the region and draw scrutiny from lawmakers concerned about long-term entanglements without Congressional oversight.
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