Former U.S. President Donald Trump is set to host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday in Washington, marking the prince’s first visit to the United States since the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The meeting is expected to include high-level discussions and the signing of defense and nuclear cooperation agreements, underscoring renewed diplomatic and economic engagement between both countries.
According to officials familiar with the planning, Trump is preparing a grand reception, including ceremonial honors typically reserved for visiting heads of state. The warm welcome reflects Trump’s long-standing efforts to strengthen ties with the oil-rich Gulf nation, as well as deepen security and investment cooperation.
Ahead of the visit, Trump announced plans to approve the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, despite past security concerns in the region, particularly from U.S. ally Israel. Sources also indicated that both parties will finalize a framework related to civilian nuclear development.
The former president is also expected to push for progress toward Saudi-Israeli normalization, a strategic goal tied to broader Middle East negotiations following the conflict in Gaza.
Prince Mohammed’s visit comes amid a diplomatic reset following the global fallout from Khashoggi’s murder, which U.S. intelligence previously assessed as approved by the crown prince — an allegation repeatedly denied by Saudi authorities. Critics, including Khashoggi’s widow, have urged Washington not to overlook human rights concerns in pursuit of strategic partnerships.
Security assurances are expected to form a central part of Saudi Arabia’s agenda, including requests for advanced missile defense systems, high-tech military equipment and access to artificial intelligence technology. However, analysts say Riyadh is unlikely to commit to normalization with Israel without meaningful progress toward Palestinian statehood.
Trump and Prince Mohammed are also scheduled to attend a U.S.-Saudi investment forum focused on energy and emerging technology sectors. The visit follows recent business developments involving Trump-affiliated companies, including a new luxury hotel partnership in the Maldives.
As diplomatic, military and economic talks resume at full scale, the visit signals a renewed era of high-stakes cooperation between Washington and Riyadh.
