Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is meeting US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday. The visit aims to deepen decades-old cooperation on oil and security while expanding ties in technology, commerce, and possibly nuclear energy. This marks his first trip to the United States since the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul.
Washington and Riyadh Seek to Move Past Tensions
Trump seeks to secure progress on a $600 billion Saudi investment pledge made during his 2025 visit to Riyadh. He avoided public criticism of Saudi human rights issues during that trip and is expected to do so again. Meanwhile, the Saudi leader aims to gain security guarantees, access to artificial intelligence technology and advancement on a civilian nuclear programme.
Defence Pact Expected to Dominate Agenda
The longstanding arrangement between the two countries involves Saudi oil supplies and US security support. However, that balance shifted after Washington declined to retaliate for Iran’s 2019 attack on Saudi oil installations. Concerns intensified when Israel struck Doha in September in a strike it linked to Hamas. Trump responded by signing a defence pact with Qatar, prompting analysts to predict a similar agreement for Saudi Arabia. Riyadh seeks a pact ratified by the US Congress, but Washington has linked that step to normalised Saudi-Israeli ties. Saudi leaders insist that Israel must first commit to Palestinian statehood, a stance Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects.
Possible Executive Order Seen as Interim Step
Observers expect Trump to issue a defence-related executive order short of a formal pact. Analysts say such an order would require Washington and Riyadh to consult immediately on threats without obligating the US to defend the kingdom. This could include missile batteries, naval deployments or arms replacement. Experts stress that both sides may secure less than their maximum demands but still achieve meaningful progress.
AI and Nuclear Cooperation Hold Strategic Value
Riyadh is also pushing for breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and nuclear energy under its Vision 2030 plan. Access to advanced computer chips is vital for Saudi ambitions to compete with regional rival the UAE, which signed a major AI-linked data centre deal earlier this year. MBS also seeks a civilian nuclear agreement with Washington to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s technological capacity and match the UAE and Iran. Negotiations remain challenging because the US demands limits on uranium enrichment. Nonetheless, analysts expect an announcement or at least a statement showing progress on nuclear cooperation.
