Trump Bestows Honor on Saudi arabia During Crown Prince Visit, Cites Personal Connection
WASHINGTON D.C. – Former President Donald Trump announced Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally during a visit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin salman (MBS) in 2023, a move accompanied by personal anecdotes highlighting a burgeoning friendship. The designation, previously held by only 19 countries, signals deepened military cooperation between the U.S. and the Kingdom, despite ongoing concerns regarding human rights.
The visit underscored a renewed effort to solidify ties between Washington and Riyadh, with agreements signed concerning civil nuclear energy cooperation and the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets. Trump, speaking at the event, revealed the ally designation was a surprise to MBS, stating, ”And I’m just telling you now for the first time, because they wanted to keep it a secret for tonight.” The “major non-NATO ally” status provides benefits in defense trade and security cooperation but carries no security commitments.
Trump also shared a personal story, noting his son is a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, and suggesting his son now holds him in higher regard for introducing him to MBS. “You know, my son is a big fan of Ronaldo.I think he respects his father more now, because I introduced you,” Trump said, according to AFP.
The agreements reached during MBS’s visit included a commitment for U.S. companies to be Saudi Arabia’s preferred partners in civil nuclear cooperation and a strategic defense agreement governing the potential F-35 purchase alongside a broader U.S. weapons package. MBS, during the visit, also reiterated that progress towards a Palestinian state was a prerequisite for Saudi normalization of relations with Israel, a key objective of the Trump administration’s Abraham Accords. Other Middle Eastern nations designated as major non-NATO allies include Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and Israel.
