Defense pact and F-35 jets: Will Trump revamp Saudi military ties?
Although arms sales remain a cornerstone of the US-Saudi relationship, frustration with the limitations of the defense partnership have spurred efforts by Riyadh to diversify.
As President Donald Trump begins his second term in office, Saudi Arabia is moving quickly to deepen economic and strategic ties with the United States. On Jan. 22, during Trump’s first call with a foreign leader after his inauguration, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledged $600 billion in trade and investment with the United States over the next four years.
The Saudis' unprecedented commitment underscores Riyadh’s determination to strengthen bilateral ties and reflects a strategic prioritization of its relationship with Washington under Trump’s leadership. Defense remains a critical focus of this effort.
Transactional relations
Following the announcement by the crown prince, Trump hinted that Saudi Arabia might again be the destination for his first foreign visit—conditional, he appeared to suggest, “if the price is right.”
