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| US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman | Photo: AFP |
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has announced plans for a massive $600 billion investment in the United States over the next four years, coinciding with Donald Trump’s second term as President.
According to a statement from the Saudi government, the call took place on Thursday, during which the Crown Prince expressed Saudi Arabia’s intention to significantly increase investments in the U.S. in the coming years. He also emphasized enhancing trade relations between the two nations.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Crown Prince extended congratulations on behalf of King Salman as well. Mohammed bin Salman revealed plans for Saudi Arabia to invest $600 billion in the U.S. over the next four years, aligning with Trump’s second term.
Saudi Arabia has historically been a key ally of the United States. During his first term, Trump identified Saudi Arabia as an essential energy and security partner. Notably, Trump’s first international trip as president in 2017 was to Saudi Arabia, where he was warmly received. The visit included a widely discussed moment where Trump participated in a ceremonial sword dance.
However, tensions between the two nations arose in 2019 following an attack on Saudi oil facilities, which the Kingdom blamed on Iran. The attack halved Saudi crude oil production. Critics, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, accused Trump of failing to take a strong stance in response to the incident, leading to a cooling of relations between Washington and Riyadh.
Despite these challenges, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner’s equity firm secured a $2 billion investment from Saudi Arabia, underscoring the ongoing financial ties between the two nations.
Saudi Arabia’s renewed interest in large-scale U.S. investment signals a potential warming of relations during Trump’s second term.
During his campaign for the US presidential election, outgoing President Joe Biden was vocal in his criticism of Saudi Arabia for human rights abuses, particularly over the Saudi government's role in the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey.