, investment opportunities, and Trump’s ambition to bring Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords, which normalised relations between Israel and several Arab nations in 2020. Meeting Schedule The visit kicks off with a lavish welcome ceremony in Washington, DC, as MBS arrives. The crown prince will hold a sit-down meeting with Trump in the Oval Office, followed by a ceremony to sign agreements and a formal luncheon. Additionally, MBS is expected to meet members of Congress and American business leaders during a black-tie dinner at the White House’s East Room on Tuesday evening. Saudi Agenda: Trade, Defence, and Security The crown prince’s focus will be on trade and investment, weapons deals, and defence cooperation. On Monday, Trump announced he would approve the sale of US F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia—a long-standing goal for the kingdom. The deal could involve up to 48 jets, making Saudi Arabia the first Arab country to acquire this advanced aircraft. Saudi Arabia also has hundreds of billions of dollars in US investments and is expected to announce additional projects, particularly in artificial intelligence and civilian nuclear energy. The kingdom is likely seeking stronger security guarantees amid regional tensions and Israel’s growing influence. Trump’s Priorities Trump aims to secure Saudi investment in the United States, a long-standing priority. He has also expressed a desire for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords. The kingdom has maintained that normalisation with Israel would only be considered after a credible path to Palestinian statehood is established. On Monday, a US-backed resolution at the United Nations Security Council outlined conditions the Palestinian Authority must meet, potentially paving the way for Palestinian self-determination and statehood. US-Saudi Relations: Historical Context Saudi-US relations date back nearly a century, initially centered on oil and defence. In 1933, Standard Oil of California—later Chevron—was the first international company granted exploration rights in Saudi Arabia, leading to the establishment of Aramco. The 1951 Saudi-US Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement ensured US military protection in exchange for oil. Weapons purchases from the US have grown dramatically over the decades, with this year’s commitment reaching $142 billion in arms and defence equipment. Trade between the two nations has surged, with Saudi investments and US-Saudi trade reaching $600 billion earlier this year. Saudi Arabia is investing $20 billion in AI and AI data centers in the US, while US firms such as Hill International, Jacobs, and Parsons are building major infrastructure projects, including King Salman International Airport. Regional Implications While Saudi Arabia continues to negotiate security guarantees and trade deals, MBS’s visit signals the kingdom’s strong relationship with the US. Trump views MBS as a key ally, whose influence could shape regional issues in the Middle East, including Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria. Analysts note that while a full security agreement or immediate normalisation with Israel may not materialize, the visit underscores Saudi Arabia’s importance to the Trump administration and the ongoing strategic partnership between the two nations.