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Trump Elevates U.S.–Saudi Ties With F‑35 Pledge, Civil Nuclear Framework and ‘Major Non‑NATO Ally’ Status

Riyadh kept normalization contingent on tangible steps toward a Palestinian state, leaving any deal with Israel uncertain.

Overview

  • At the White House, Mohammed bin Salman pledged to lift planned Saudi investment in the United States from $600 billion to nearly $1 trillion.
  • Donald Trump announced Saudi Arabia’s designation as a major non‑NATO ally and gave a green light to future deliveries of F‑35 fighter jets.
  • The two governments unveiled a framework for civilian nuclear cooperation structured under strict non‑proliferation rules.
  • Washington said Saudi Arabia will gain access to advanced U.S. artificial‑intelligence systems and chips under agreements that guard against foreign interference.
  • Pressed on the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi, Trump said MBS was unaware while praising his record, and the crown prince called the killing a painful, ‘huge mistake,’ even as past U.S. intelligence findings have implicated him.