Four years ago, Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman was unable to meet with the then-President Joe Biden. Biden said that he wanted the Gulf nation to be a pariah because its leader had allegedly ordered the killing of a Washington journalist.
Donald Trump praised Saudi Arabia’s de-facto ruler in a gushing manner on Tuesday. He called him “an incredible guy” and “a great guy”, and did not mention the human rights situation within the country.
“I like him very much.” “I like him too much,” Trump exclaimed as the cameras flashed, and the crowd applauded. The summit was held in Riyadh to kick off his first major overseas visit of his second term.
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The affectionate display for a leader who has a controversial history was reminiscent of Trump’s first tenure, when he formed an alliance with bin Salman which grew stronger through mutual flattery and deals.
The relationship is still based on shared interests. Trump wants to achieve major economic gains and revive the U.S. presence in the region. Bin Salman, meanwhile, seeks advanced technology, military assistance, and a powerful partner in his efforts to modernize Saudi Arabia, and assert regional leadership.
Trump announced at the summit a $142 billion deal on defense and a $600 billion Saudi investment package that included artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and energy.
Trump’s relationship with the Crown Prince has sparked criticism by U.S. legislators, human rights organizations and foreign policy analysts. They viewed it as a prioritization of economic interests above human rights.
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Bin Salman denied any involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and cited reforms like expanding women’s right as proof that progress had been made. However, analysts say these reforms have been undermined by continuing crackdowns against dissent and freedoms.
Trump’s relationship with bin Salman has a much warmer tone than that of his predecessor in the White House. Biden’s relationship took a more friendly turn with bin Salman, too. From initial criticism to a pragmatic cordiality.
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In 2019, the Democratic President promised to make Saudi Arabia “a pariah” on the international stage because of Khashoggi’s murder and its human rights record.
Geopolitical realities, such as the soaring oil prices in 2022 due in part to Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, have highlighted the need for Washington and Riyadh to work together.
Biden decided it was time for a new strategic relationship and visited the crown Prince in July 2022.
Some criticized the gesture as being too friendly, given concerns about human rights. White House officials insisted that it was to reduce Biden’s chances of contracting the COVID-19.
The relationship improved rapidly as his administration sought to broker a deal that would normalize Saudi-Israeli ties in exchange for an expanded U.S. Defense Agreement. The effort was halted by the attack on Israel by Hamas in 2023 and Israel’s subsequent conflict with Gaza.
During Trump’s visit to the United States on Tuesday, the Crown Prince personally welcomed the U.S. President, escorting up an escalator, and then driving him in golf carts ahead of a State Dinner.
Trump, in a move that underlined their close relationship, pledged to lift U.S. Sanctions on Syria. He said that bin Salman had requested this dramatic action.
Trump said: “Oh, I do for him.” The crown prince then placed his hands on his heart, and a standing applause followed.