Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Discuss Defense and Economic Ties at White House Meeting

President Donald Trump hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on November 18, 2025, marking the crown prince's first U.S. visit since 2018. The meeting focused on enhancing defense cooperation, economic investments, and regional security.

During the visit, Trump announced plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, stating that both Saudi Arabia and Israel "should get top of the line" military equipment. This decision has raised concerns among allies and analysts, particularly regarding the potential for advanced technology being shared with China, given Saudi Arabia's growing ties with Beijing.

The leaders also discussed Saudi Arabia's potential participation in the Abraham Accords, with Prince Mohammed expressing a desire to join, contingent upon a clear path to a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. He stated, "We want to be part of the Abraham Accords, but we want also to be sure that we secure a clear path of two-state solution."

In addition to defense and diplomatic matters, the meeting addressed economic cooperation. Prince Mohammed announced plans to increase Saudi investments in the United States from $600 billion to $1 trillion, aiming to create jobs and bolster the U.S. economy.

The visit was marked by ceremonial honors, including a red carpet welcome, a military band, and a flyover by U.S. military planes. Trump praised Prince Mohammed, referring to him as "a friend of mine for a long time" and commending his efforts on human rights without providing specific details.

When questioned about the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Trump dismissed the inquiry, stating, "Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen, but he (the crown prince) knew nothing about it and we can leave it at that." Prince Mohammed reiterated that his government had taken steps to prevent such incidents in the future.