Trump Rolls Out Red Carpet for Saudi Crown Prince Amid High-Stakes Deal-Making
Image Source: Internet
In a high-profile visit, US President Donald Trump will host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House next week, marking a significant diplomatic push in the region. The crown prince's itinerary includes a grand arrival ceremony, a bilateral meeting with Trump, and a lavish dinner hosted by first lady Melania Trump. While not an official state visit, the event will feature all the trappings of one, including a signing and lunch in the Cabinet Room where multiple economic and defense agreements will be formalized between the US and Saudi Arabia. The visit comes as Trump's administration seeks to strengthen ties with Gulf nations, a key foreign policy priority in his second term. The relationship between Trump and Prince Mohammed has been a subject of interest, with the president describing the Saudi leader as an 'incredible man' and 'my friend' during a 2017 visit to Riyadh. Prince Mohammed's visit also marks a significant moment in the US-Saudi relationship, which was strained following the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. US intelligence agencies have implicated Prince Mohammed in the killing, but he denies any involvement. The Trump and Biden administrations have since worked to mend ties with Saudi Arabia. The visit is expected to attract top business leaders, with dozens of CEOs attending a meeting of the US-Saudi Business Council at the Kennedy Center. However, it remains unclear whether Trump will attend the event. The crown prince's day at the White House will be closely watched, as it is seen as a key moment in the US-Saudi relationship.
