Washington In his first contact with a foreign leader of his second term, President Donald Trump spoke Wednesday with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, seemingly renewing his first term’s efforts to deepen U.S. ties with the kingdom.
According to a White House readout issued Thursday, the two leaders talked about initiatives to fight terrorism, strengthen regional security, and stabilize the Middle East.
According to the readout, Trump and the crown prince also “discussed trade and other opportunities to increase the mutual prosperity of the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s international economic ambitions over the next four years.”
According to the Saudi government’s interpretation of the call, the kingdom plans to increase its trade and investments with the United States by at least $600 billion over the next four years.
Trump referred to the crown prince as “a fantastic guy” during his virtual speech at the World Economic Forum on Thursday. He also stated that he would push Saudi Arabia to double its investment in the United States to $1 trillion. In addition, Trump stated that he will approach the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Saudi Arabia to lower oil prices.
“You got to bring it down, which, frankly, I m surprised they didn t do before the election,” he stated. “Their failure to do so didn’t demonstrate much affection. That caught me a little off guard.
Saudi Arabia was the destination of Trump’s first international trip during his first term. Despite the murder of writer Jamal Khashoggi, the United States and the Middle Eastern nation remained close during those four years.
Trump gave Saudi Arabia top priority in his foreign policy agenda during those four years, vetoing congressional attempts to stop arms sales to the nation and to stop the United States from providing military support to Saudi Arabia in its war in Yemen.
Even after the CIA determined that bin Salman himself had ordered the murder of Khashoggi, a fervent opponent of his administration, Trump continued to defend the Saudi regime.
The Crown Prince may or may not have been aware of this unfortunate act, but our intelligence services are still reviewing all available material. Trump stated at the time. However, we might never be able to learn everything there is to know about Mr. Jamal Khashoggi’s murder. Either way, we have a relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Trump informed reporters during his signing of executive orders in the Oval Office on Monday that his first journey abroad during his first term was to Saudi Arabia because the country had pledged to purchase $450 billion worth of American goods.
Trump responded, “I think I’d probably go there if Saudi Arabia wanted to buy another $450 billion or $500 billion or more because of inflation,” when asked where he expects to go next.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, told NBC News Thursday morning that she is not aware of any arrangements for Trump to travel to Saudi Arabia.