MBS Pledges Nearly $1 Trillion Saudi Investment Boost in U.S. to Trump

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MBS Pledges Nearly $1 Trillion Saudi Investment Boost in U.S. to Trump

In a significant meeting at the White House, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) announced plans to increase Saudi investments in the U.S. close to $1 trillion. This increase builds on an already committed amount of $600 billion.

MBS and Trump Discuss Investment Plans

During the meeting, President Trump highlighted the potential for the investment to reach $1 trillion, jokingly crediting his friendship with MBS for the sizable increase. Bin Salman affirmed the commitment, indicating that the investments would be substantial.

Background on Saudi Investments

Previously, Trump celebrated a $450 billion investment plan during his first term. However, a report from the Arab Gulf States Institute noted that between 2017 and 2020, American exports to Saudi Arabia totaled around only $92 billion, a mere fraction of the promised investment.

2017 Defense Agreement: Worth approximately $110 billion, intended to commence immediately.
Arms Sales Notification: The Defense Department informed Congress of about $23 billion in potential sales from 2017 to 2020.

Significance of MBS’s Visit

This visit marked MBS’s first trip to the U.S. after the controversial killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Khashoggi’s murder involved individuals linked to the Saudi government, which has caused ongoing international scrutiny.

While MBS has consistently denied direct involvement, he acknowledged responsibility during a 2019 interview with CBS News, citing the actions of individuals within the government.

Human Rights Dialogue

During the Oval Office meeting, Khashoggi’s case was addressed. MBS expressed sorrow over the loss of innocent life, describing it as painful. Trump, however, chose to downplay the incident, suggesting others had negative views of Khashoggi and asserting that MBS knew nothing about the events surrounding his death.

Trump’s assessment of MBS: Praised him for his human rights record despite existing concerns from the State Department.
Statement from Trump: “I’m very proud of the job, what he’s done is incredible in terms of human rights.”

This high-level discussion signifies a deeper commitment to U.S.-Saudi ties amidst controversial events surrounding the kingdom’s human rights practices. The upcoming investments aim to bolster economic collaboration between the nations, further solidifying their partnership.