Riyadh — Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pledged a massive $600 billion to boost trade and investment with the United States, extending his congratulations to Donald Trump following his inauguration for a second term as president. The Crown Prince, who effectively leads the world's largest oil exporter, made the announcement during a phone call with Trump earlier this week.
In the call, Prince Mohammed emphasized Saudi Arabia's commitment to increasing its trade and investment with the United States over the next four years. While the exact sources of the funds were not disclosed, the sum represents a substantial portion of Saudi Arabia's GDP, making it a significant commitment.
The Saudi Press Agency reported that the Crown Prince's message included a personal congratulations from King Salman, the country’s monarch. This pledge comes after years of strong ties between Saudi Arabia and Trump during his first term in office, particularly in areas like energy and trade.
Trump, known for his close relationship with Saudi Arabia, joked about the possibility of another visit to the kingdom, reflecting on his 2017 trip when Saudi Arabia made a $450 billion commitment to U.S. products. "If Saudi Arabia wanted to buy another $450 or $500 billion—well, we’ll up it for inflation," Trump quipped.
The $600 billion trade and investment pledge is seen as part of Trump’s broader foreign policy agenda, which includes promoting stronger ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel. This is in line with efforts from the previous administration, which saw several Arab nations, including Bahrain and the UAE, recognizing Israel under the Abraham Accords.
However, Saudi Arabia has been firm in its stance that it will not normalize relations with Israel unless a Palestinian state is established. Despite this, some analysts believe that a potential easing of tensions in Gaza, as well as a ceasefire, could pave the way for renewed dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Israel. In exchange for recognition, Saudi Arabia is seeking security guarantees from the U.S. and support for a civilian nuclear program.
In a separate call, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Crown Prince Mohammed on Thursday, discussing a range of regional issues, including threats posed by Iran and ongoing conflicts in Syria and Lebanon. The two leaders also explored areas of potential collaboration in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies.
Trump’s first term saw an extensive focus on strengthening U.S.-Saudi relations, and his 2017 visit to Riyadh was marked by lavish ceremonies and extensive trade deals. While relations cooled after a 2019 attack on Saudi oil facilities—an event that Trump did not respond to as strongly as the Crown Prince had hoped—the Trump administration continued to work closely with Saudi officials. Additionally, Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has faced scrutiny for securing a $2 billion investment from Saudi Arabia into his private equity firm.
As Trump resumes his presidency, the U.S.-Saudi partnership is expected to continue evolving, with a focus on both trade and broader geopolitical strategies in the Middle East.
