In a remarkable display of diplomatic normalisation, former US President Donald Trump hosted Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday, where the two leaders announced economic agreements worth up to $1 trillion while largely dismissing concerns about the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
A Warm Welcome Despite Controversial History
The meeting between Trump and the Saudi leader, often referred to as MBS, featured all the trappings of a formal state visit. Marine bands played ceremonial music while black horses carrying both American and Saudi flags paraded across the South Lawn. The visual spectacle continued as fighter jets, including F-15 and F-35 aircraft, soared overhead during the welcoming ceremony, with both leaders beaming approvingly at the display.
This extravagant reception marked a significant rehabilitation for Prince Mohammed, who became an international pariah after US intelligence agencies concluded he had authorised the operation that led to Khashoggi's brutal murder. The Washington Post columnist was killed by Saudi agents inside the country's Istanbul consulate, with reports later revealing his body had been dismembered using a bone saw.
Business Trumps Human Rights Concerns
During their joint appearance in the Oval Office, Trump openly dismissed the Khashoggi murder investigation, describing the journalist as "extremely controversial" and stating "many people didn't like him." When pressed by reporters about the killing, the former president responded with the phrase "things happen" and defended his Saudi counterpart by claiming the prince "knew nothing about it."
The centrepiece of their discussions focused on enormous economic opportunities, with Trump announcing that Saudi Arabia would invest up to $1 trillion in the United States. "We're doing numbers that nobody has ever done," Trump declared, emphasising that these investments would translate into "jobs, lots of jobs" for American workers.
Prince Mohammed appeared eager throughout the meeting, frequently smiling and allowing Trump to dominate the conversation while occasionally interjecting with supportive comments like "The opportunities keep increasing" when Trump outlined the scale of potential investments.
Strategic Implications and Regional Concerns
The strengthening alliance carries significant geopolitical implications, particularly regarding military technology transfers. The same F-35 fighter jets that flew during the welcoming ceremony are likely included in Saudi Arabia's substantial shopping list, despite objections from traditional US ally Israel, which has historically opposed transferring such advanced weaponry to other Middle Eastern nations.
Security experts have also raised concerns about potential technology leaks to China through Saudi Arabia, given Beijing's growing influence in the region. These apprehensions highlight the complex balancing act the Trump administration faced in pursuing economic gains while managing strategic risks.
The meeting solidifies the Gulf region's position as a crucial power broker for Trump's foreign policy approach. This relationship has been strengthened by substantial business dealings involving Trump's close associates and family members, including nearly $5 billion invested in a fund managed by his son-in-law Jared Kushner by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar combined.
When questioned about these financial connections, Trump maintained that he had "nothing to do with the family business" and that what his family does is "fine."
Unfinished Business and Human Rights Legacy
As the two leaders celebrated their renewed partnership, Khashoggi's widow made a poignant appearance on television, describing Prince Mohammed's warm reception in the United States as "very painful, very heavy." She reiterated calls for the investigation into her husband's murder to continue and demanded the return of his remains, emphasising that there remains "unfinished business" regarding the case.
The Trump-MBS meeting represents a stark example of realpolitik in action, where substantial economic interests appear to have overshadowed human rights considerations. The $1 trillion in potential investments and strengthened military cooperation signal a new chapter in US-Saudi relations, though one that continues to be shadowed by the unresolved circumstances of Jamal Khashoggi's brutal killing.
