Saudi Crown Prince to Invest $600 Billion in U.S.

In a significant development for U.S.-Saudi relations, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman revealed Thursday that the kingdom plans to invest $600 billion in the United States over the next four years. The announcement came during a phone conversation with President Donald Trump, who had previously referred to Saudi Arabia as a key partner in his foreign policy agenda.

Trump’s 2017 visit to Saudi Arabia marked a notable departure from the tradition of U.S. presidents visiting the United Kingdom first on overseas trips. His decision underscored his administration's strong ties with the Saudi leadership, a relationship that has continued to evolve, especially as Trump’s real estate company pursued business opportunities in the Gulf region.

According to a report from the state-run Saudi Press Agency, Crown Prince Mohammed emphasized the kingdom’s commitment to expanding investments and trade with the U.S. over the next several years, potentially reaching beyond the $600 billion mark. The readout did not specify the areas where these investments would be directed, but it is clear that the relationship between the two nations has shifted from one primarily reliant on oil to a broader economic partnership. Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund has already made substantial investments in U.S. businesses, and the kingdom has increasingly shown interest in sectors like sports and technology.

While the White House has yet to release an official statement on the call, the conversation signals the continued importance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship under the new administration. It also marks the first reported international conversation for President Trump after his return to the White House.

Earlier this week, Trump mentioned the possibility of visiting Saudi Arabia again as part of his first foreign trip, following the pattern set during his 2017 visit. "The first foreign trip typically has been with the U.K., but I did it with Saudi Arabia last time because they agreed to buy $450 billion worth of our products," Trump said in the Oval Office. "If Saudi Arabia wants to buy another $450 billion or $500 — we’ll up it for inflation — I think I’d probably go."

Trump’s 2017 visit to Saudi Arabia also set in motion a controversial boycott of Qatar by four Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia. Despite ongoing tensions, Trump has maintained strong ties with the kingdom, even after Crown Prince Mohammed was implicated in the 2018 murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has engaged in discussions with the Biden administration regarding a broader diplomatic deal with Israel in exchange for enhanced U.S. defense support.

As the U.S. and Saudi Arabia look to expand their economic and political partnership, the proposed $600 billion investment underscores the strategic importance of their relationship moving forward.