U.S.-Saudi relations are poised for a new chapter as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Washington for talks with President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday.
Observers say the visit, set against a complex regional and global backdrop of developments in energy, security, and technology, could open new avenues for cooperation across multiple sectors. While the two countries have aligned on key issues, such as technological collaboration and Saudi acquisition of F-35 stealth fighters, they remain divided on others, particularly the normalization of ties with Israel.
Points of Tension and Agreement
At a pivotal moment for the Middle East, the fragile truce in Gaza has become the linchpin of regional stability. Washington is proposing a “multinational force” to monitor the cease-fire and a joint council to oversee reconstruction. Saudi Arabia and other Arab states continue to press for a cease-fire, emphasizing that true stability is impossible without a clear pathway to a Palestinian state, while Washington continues to push for the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Ahmed bin Hassan Al-Shehri, a scholar of international relations, said the Palestinian issue remains “a clear point of divergence between the two sides.” He noted that Saudi Arabia insists on the creation of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, while “the United States has not shown the same level of commitment.” Al-Shehri added that rebuilding Gaza will not be possible without international guarantees to prevent a repeat of the destruction, and that any peacekeeping force must operate under U.N. authority and with “shared global funding.”
Beyond normalization, Saudi-U.S. differences remain over a proposed defense agreement and the scope of commitments it would entail. Analyst Mubarak Al-Atti noted that “Trump recognized Saudi Arabia’s ability to diversify its defense doctrine, and any U.S. restriction could push Riyadh toward other partners, which explains Washington’s sensitivity about technology leakage.”
He added that the Kingdom can balance relations with both China and the U.S., and that the Trump administration is likely to push Congress to approve the F-35 sale to the Kingdom.
Technology and Nuclear Energy
Saudi Arabia has pledged $600 billion in U.S. investments spanning energy, defense, infrastructure, and advanced technology. Notably, Saudi Arabia’s Data Volt plans $20 billion for AI data centers and energy infrastructure, alongside more than $80 billion in tech investments from U.S. companies including Google, Oracle, Salesforce, AMD, and Uber.
American firms such as Hill International, Jacobs, Parsons, and AECOM are executing major infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia, including King Salman International Airport, King Salman Park, Qiddiya City, and The Vault complex, reflecting deep strategic alignment in building modern infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.
The $142 billion U.S.-Saudi arms deal, the largest in history, includes upgrades to air, missile, and naval systems, as well as communications and military training programs. Cooperation has also expanded to space and mining, with agreements with NASA on the Artemis II satellite mission, clean energy initiatives with the U.S. Energy Department, and strategic supply-chain projects. “Saudi-U.S. economic and investment ties are driven by shared strategic interests, not political directives,” Al-Shahri said, noting U.S. concerns about technology transfer to China.
On nuclear energy, Al-Atti said Saudi Arabia is moving ahead with a civilian nuclear program, and the United States is confident in Riyadh’s reliability and its lack of military ambitions. “Saudi Arabia, which has successfully diversified its alliances in critical moments, will not compromise its ties with China or Russia, but these partnerships are not a substitute for its historic relationship with Washington,” he added.
Sukina Ali
A Saudi writer, researcher, and TV presenter
