Overview
- At the White House, Trump said the crown prince “knew nothing” about Jamal Khashoggi’s murder and praised his human-rights record, drawing rebukes from activists and Khashoggi’s widow.
- Trump approved future deliveries of F‑35 stealth jets to Saudi Arabia, a regional first outside Israel that has prompted concerns about Israel’s qualitative military edge.
- The administration elevated Riyadh to major non‑NATO ally status and touted a strategic defense pact to deepen military cooperation and ease U.S. defense industry activity in the kingdom.
- Washington and Riyadh issued a joint statement on civilian nuclear cooperation that establishes a legal framework for a long-term U.S.-Saudi nuclear partnership.
- Mohammed bin Salman pledged to boost planned investments in the United States to $1 trillion, even as rights groups criticized the visit and the announced arms deals.