WASHINGTON (AP) — While not an official state visit, the White House is poised to host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with all the customary fanfare.
His day next Tuesday will commence with an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn, followed by a welcome on the South Portico. President Trump is scheduled to receive him in the Oval Office for bilateral discussions and a signing of several key economic and defense treaties in the Cabinet Room.
First Lady Melania Trump will host an East Room dinner later that evening as a part of the honored welcome.
This working visit is notable since the crown prince is not a head of state, according to White House officials.
On the following day, a meeting of the U.S.-Saudi Business Council will take place at the Kennedy Center, where several CEOs are anticipated to join. President Trump’s participation is likely, although not yet confirmed.
The significance of this visit is underscored by Trump's efforts to reinforce relationships with Gulf nations, which was a cornerstone of his foreign policy during his administration. His inaugural trip abroad included visits to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, showcasing his commitment to these partnerships.
However, this trip marks the first for Prince Mohammed since the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a moment that cast a long shadow over U.S.-Saudi relations, especially following findings by U.S. intelligence implicating the prince in the incident. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have attempted to repair relations with Saudi Arabia in the years since.
In Trump's own words about the prince during a past meeting, “I really believe we like each other a lot.” The sentiment reflects an ongoing effort to bridge alliances despite controversial histories.
