Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced on Thursday that the kingdom aims to invest $600 billion in the United States over the next four years. His remarks followed former President Donald Trump's earlier mention of Saudi Arabia as his potential first foreign visit since re-entering office.
Trump's initial trip abroad in 2017 broke tradition, as U.S. presidents usually visit the United Kingdom first. His visit to Saudi Arabia emphasized the close ties between his administration and Gulf rulers, with Trump’s real estate company also pursuing ventures in the region.
The state-run Saudi Press Agency reported that the crown prince shared the kingdom's plans to expand investments and trade with the U.S. during a phone call with Trump. While specific areas for the investments were not detailed, Saudi Arabia has been reducing its reliance on oil exports to the U.S., shifting focus toward investments in American businesses and sports.
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The White House has yet to release a statement on the call. It is unclear whether this was Trump's first conversation with a foreign leader since re-entering the White House.
In a separate call, the crown prince also spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Trump, discussing his travel plans on Monday after his inauguration, hinted at revisiting Saudi Arabia as his first foreign destination, as in 2017. He said, “I went to Saudi Arabia last time because they committed to purchasing $450 billion worth of our products. If they agree to buy another $450 billion or $500 billion, adjusted for inflation, I’d likely go again.”
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The 2017 visit sparked a diplomatic rift, leading to a yearslong blockade of Qatar by Saudi Arabia and three other Arab countries.
Trump maintained close ties with Saudi Arabia throughout his presidency, despite global criticism over the involvement of Prince Mohammed in the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul. Talks between Saudi Arabia and the Biden administration have since centered on a broader agreement for Riyadh to formally recognize Israel in exchange for U.S. security guarantees and other benefits.