Saudi crown prince promises significant trade and investment boosts in conversation with Trump

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Donald Trump on his return to the White House, saying during a phone call Thursday that Saudi Arabia would significantly expand its investments and trade with the United States.

The kingdom’s crown prince conveyed congratulations from his father, King Salman, during the call, according to a statement from the Saudi foreign ministry.

The crown prince said the kingdom would "expand its investment and trade with the United States to $600 billion over four years, and potentially beyond that."

In a separate call with the crown prince Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed issues including Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and "the threats posed by Iran and its proxies," according to a statement.

“They also discussed the benefits of the U.S.-Saudi economic partnership and the opportunities to grow their economies in a variety of fields, including artificial intelligence,” a Rubio spokesperson said.

The renewed diplomatic exchanges underscore the evolving dynamics of U.S.-Saudi relations under Trump’s leadership, with both sides emphasizing economic cooperation and shared strategic interests.

As Saudi Arabia seeks to deepen its investments in the United States and leverage opportunities in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, the partnership appears poised for significant growth.

However, longstanding regional challenges, including tensions with Iran and the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and elsewhere, remain critical issues that will shape the trajectory of their collaboration in the years ahead.