Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Visit Washington on November 18
Washington, The Gulf Observer: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is scheduled to visit Washington, D.C., on November 18, the White House announced on Tuesday.
The visit comes after U.S. President Donald Trump’s first overseas trip of his second term, which began in Riyadh on May 13, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in trade, defense, and investment under the Strategic Economic Partnership framework signed between the Crown Prince and the U.S. President.
Although specific details of the agreements expected to be finalized during the upcoming meeting have not yet been disclosed, U.S. officials familiar with the preparations indicated that the visit will feature a package of commercial and investment deals aimed at deepening bilateral economic ties.
Over nearly nine decades, Saudi-U.S. relations have evolved from oil-centered cooperation into a comprehensive strategic alliance encompassing trade, security, energy transition, and innovation.
Speaking to CNBC during the 9th Future Investment Initiative (FII9) held recently in Riyadh, Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim emphasized that the United States remains one of Saudi Arabia’s most significant economic partners, accounting for 25 percent of total foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Kingdom.
According to official data, bilateral trade between the two nations currently stands at SR121 billion, reflecting a 6.5 percent increase since 2023.
“It’s important for us to find more avenues of economic partnership between the private sectors in both countries,” Al-Ibrahim said, noting Saudi Arabia’s growing potential to serve as a ‘second campus’ for U.S. institutions engaged in research, development, and innovation.
Aligned with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia continues to pursue economic diversification and expand non-oil exports to the United States, the minister added.
Al-Ibrahim further highlighted the resilience and continuity of the bilateral relationship:
“Nine decades of a strong economic partnership built on trust and shared knowledge continue to benefit the global economy.”
The Crown Prince’s upcoming visit is expected to reinforce the strategic partnership between Riyadh and Washington, underscoring their shared commitment to economic growth, innovation, and long-term regional stability.
