Trump Praises Saudi Crown Prince in Riyadh
In a notable gathering of global business leaders in Riyadh, U.S. President Donald Trump asked a surprising question of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, commending the kingdom for its emergence as a key player in the international business arena. During his speech, Trump inquired, “Mohammed, do you sleep at night? How do you manage it?” He elaborated on the challenges the Crown Prince faces, humorously suggesting that managing such a significant role requires constant vigilance.
His enthusiastic comments drew laughter from bin Salman and a standing ovation from the audience. Trump highlighted the criticism of Saudi Arabia’s growth and pointed to the remarkable advancements made under MBS’s leadership over the past eight years.
Asserting his dedication to strengthening U.S.-Saudi relations, Trump revealed his decision to lift sanctions on Syria at the behest of both MBS and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, remarking, “What am I doing for the Crown Prince?” He referred to Saudi Arabia as “the world’s center,” notably omitting any mention of human rights issues, including the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Although bin Salman has denied involvement in Khashoggi’s death and cited reforms like increased women’s rights, observers argue that such progress is undermined by ongoing political repression.
Shared Goals
The alliance between Trump and bin Salman is built on mutual interests. The U.S. president seeks major economic achievements and a prominent role for America in the region, while the Crown Prince aims for advanced technology and military backing to evolve Saudi Arabia into a regional leader.
Notably, Trump promoted a significant defense contract worth $142 billion and a $600 billion investment initiative from Saudi Arabia focusing on artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and energy sectors. However, Trump’s close ties with bin Salman have drawn criticism from U.S. lawmakers and human rights advocates, highlighting concerns over prioritizing economic benefits over human rights.
Change in Leadership Approach
This approach marks a sharp departure from the Biden administration, which had labeled Saudi Arabia a “pariah” following Khashoggi’s murder and criticized its overall human rights record. Nevertheless, geopolitical realities, particularly the rise in oil prices attributed in part to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have necessitated a recalibration of U.S.-Saudi relations. In July 2022, Biden visited the Crown Prince, a meeting characterized by a fist bump, which White House aides suggested was a precautionary measure against COVID-19.
