Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, pledging to increase Saudi investments in the United States from $600 billion to nearly $1 trillion.

The Crown Prince’s visit marked the most significant trip to the White House by a Saudi leader in over seven years.

During the meeting, President Trump praised the Crown Prince, calling him “the future king of Saudi Arabia” and commending his efforts in strengthening US-Saudi economic ties.

“We thank the Crown Prince for investing $600 billion in the United States,” Trump said. “This investment will create a significant number of jobs.”

The two leaders also discussed defence agreements, with Trump noting Saudi Arabia’s purchase of F-35 fighter jets and emphasising cooperation between Israel and Saudi Arabia on advanced defence technology.

“We have had very productive discussions on the Abraham Accords,” he added.

Trump contrasted his administration’s economic achievements with the previous administration, claiming that US inflation had reached historic highs under President Biden and that little foreign investment had materialised during that period.

He highlighted that in just one year, $21 trillion in investments had flowed into the US.

Speaking at the White House, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said Saudi Arabia would raise its investment in the US to nearly $1 trillion, including sectors such as technology and artificial intelligence.

“America is the world’s most important country,” he said.

The Crown Prince also addressed security issues, stressing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to combating terrorism.

He recalled that in the past, Osama bin Laden had attempted to harm US-Saudi relations.

On the Abraham Accords, Prince Mohammed said Saudi Arabia seeks to be part of the agreements while ensuring a clear path towards a two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Earlier, Trump greeted the Saudi Crown Prince with a smile and a handshake on the red carpet, while dozens of military personnel lined the perimeter. The limousine was escorted up the South Drive by a US Army mounted honour guard. The two leaders then looked skyward as fighter jets roared overhead, before Trump led his guest inside.

Before sitting down for talks, the two leaders chatted amiably as Trump gave Mohammed bin Salman a tour of presidential portraits lining the wall outside the Oval Office.

Trump told reporters on Monday, “We’ll be selling” F-35s to Saudi Arabia, which has requested to buy 48 of the advanced aircraft.

This would be the first US sale of the fighter jets to Saudi Arabia and mark a significant policy shift.

The deal could alter the military balance in the Middle East and test Washington’s definition of maintaining what the US has termed Israel’s “qualitative military edge.”

Until now, Israel has been the only country in the Middle East to have the F-35.