WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will sign defense and nuclear agreements during his first visit to the US since journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in 2018. He will also receive a sumptuous welcome from US President Donald Trump.
Despite the fact that the prince is merely the de facto ruler of the kingdom and not the head of state, Trump is anticipated to throw a lavish dinner, a fly-by, and cannon fire for the prince.
Despite Israel’s fears, Trump has made strengthening relations with the oil-rich Gulf kingdom a top priority. On Monday, he announced that he would sell Saudi Arabia the highly sought-after F-35 stealth warplanes.
According to a person involved with the negotiations, he would sign an agreement on a framework for civilian nuclear cooperation, which was another area of previous dispute.
In an effort to reach a broader Middle East peace agreement following the conflict in Gaza, Trump will also press Prince Mohammed, better known as MBS, to restore ties with Israel.
When questioned about the visit on Friday, Trump responded, “We’re more than meeting,” to reporters on Air Force One. “We’re honoring Saudi Arabia, the Crown Prince.”
On his first visit to the United States since the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi operatives caused international indignation, the Saudi heir apparent is eager for a new beginning.
The assassination also strained ties with Washington because, according to US intelligence, Prince Mohammed authorized the operation inside the kingdom’s Istanbul consulate—a claim that Saudi authorities refute.
However, over the years, the 40-year-old prince has cultivated strong relationships with Trump and his family, which were enhanced by the president’s opulent welcome and $600 billion in investment promises during his visit to Saudi Arabia in May.
The visit may signal a potential recalibration of Saudi-US relations in a post-Trump era, though formal diplomatic engagement continues to evolve under the current Biden administration.
Observers will be watching closely to see if this private meeting leads to broader shifts in policy or international pressure concerning human rights issues in Saudi Arabia.
