Saudi Crown Prince MBS announces plans to raise $600B US investment to $1T

WASHINGTON, DC: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has pledged to raise the Kingdom’s investment in the United States from $600 billion to nearly $1 trillion.

He announced during a high-profile White House meeting with President Trump on Tuesday, November 18.

The commitment comes amid a renewed effort to deepen US and Saudi economic ties, despite lingering controversies tied to the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

MBS’ $1 trillion investment pledge

During his interaction, Crown Prince agreed with Trump that Saudi investments in the US, initially stated at $600 billion, could reach close to a trillion.

Trump framed it colloquially, saying, “Because he’s my friend, he might make it a trillion, but I’m going to have to work on him.”

The figure was raised by Trump himself, but MBS concurred.

With great appreciation for the President’s commitment to global stability, MBS said, "Your work for world peace. I believe, Mr President, today and tomorrow we are going to increase that 600 billion to almost $1 trillion investment!"

Recognizing the strength of their diplomatic relationship, he responded, "You are saying to me now the 600 billion will be 1 trillion?" to which MBS affirmed, "Definitely!"

Trump concluded his comments by expressing gratitude to the Saudi crown prince for his prior pledge to invest $1 trillion in the United States, after which he welcomed Prince Mohammed to address the audience.

The crown prince, noting that “no one speaks better” than the president, praised the strength of the partnership between the two countries and added, “We believe the opportunities are huge” emphasizing the promise of their cooperation.

Donald Trump and Crown Prince deepen bilateral ties
In recent months, Trump has repeatedly said he would like Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, which established formal relations between Israel and several Arab countries. 

MBS responding to questions by reporters on the same said “We want to be part of the Abraham Accords, but we want also to be sure that [we] secure a clear path [toward a] two-state solution.” 

At a formal black tie dinner held at the White House in honor of the Crown prince, Trump also declared that the United States has chosen to officially recognize Saudi Arabia as a “major non-NATO ally.”

This designation enables the kingdom receive quicker access to US military equipment, sales, and cooperative initiatives, bypassing some of the complex licensing procedures required for other purchasers of advanced American weapons systems.

Trump previously confirmed that he would move forward with approving the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.