Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to arrive in Washington next week for a high-profile visit with President Donald Trump, Bloomberg reports, marking his first trip to the US capital since the global outcry over journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder in 2018. The visit comes after months of delicate negotiations and is expected to cement longstanding economic and security ties between the world’s largest oil exporter and the United States.
According to people familiar with the preparations, the visit was at one point at risk of being postponed, but the leaders’ longstanding rapport ultimately ensured it would go ahead. The Crown Prince, widely known as MBS, will meet Trump at the White House on Tuesday, followed by a US-Saudi investment forum attended by top energy and technology executives. Observers say the visit aims not only to strengthen bilateral relations but also to position Saudi Arabia as a central hub for regional stability and investment.
Bloomberg notes that the leaders are expected to focus on a wide range of strategic topics, including defense, advanced technology, and nuclear cooperation. Saudi Arabia is reportedly seeking US-made F-35 stealth fighter jets, while also aiming to import AI chips from American companies like Nvidia and AMD — a deal previously delayed by export restrictions. Nuclear energy cooperation is another point of discussion, with Riyadh seeking US support to build civilian nuclear reactors amid congressional and security constraints.
The geopolitical backdrop complicates matters. The situation in Gaza and broader Middle East conflicts remain unresolved, and Saudi Arabia continues to insist that Palestinian statehood is a prerequisite for normalizing ties with Israel. Trump, for his part, has separated the Israel-Palestine issue from other priorities, though he still hopes to advance normalization before the end of his term. Discussions around Gaza and the implementation of a 20-point peace roadmap are expected during the talks.
On defense, MBS may secure an executive order from Trump similar to one issued to Qatar in September, strengthening Saudi security as part of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic transformation. According to Bloomberg, the US-Saudi discussions will also consider the broader strategic balance in the Middle East, including threats from Iran-backed militias and ongoing conflicts along the Saudi border.
For MBS, deepening ties with the US remains a top priority despite his engagement with China. The visit underscores his strategy to maintain Washington’s support while driving forward massive investment and modernization projects at home. Trump, who has repeatedly praised the Crown Prince and his leadership, is expected to provide a ceremonious welcome, reflecting the close personal rapport the two have developed over the years.
