Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have signed a $142 billion defense deal, with Trump describing the US-Saudi bond as “more powerful than ever”. The deal, which the US calls “the largest defense sales agreement in history”, is a significant measure of the changing relationship between Washington and Riyadh.
During a speech in Riyadh, Trump praised the Saudi crown prince, calling him “an incredible man”. “The US-Saudi bond is more powerful than ever before,” Trump said. “Today we take the next steps to make our relationship closer, stronger and more powerful than ever before.” Trump emphasized that the partnership between the two countries has been a “bedrock of security and prosperity”.
Trump also announced that he is lifting sanctions on Syria, saying he wants to give the country “a chance at greatness”. “I will never hesitate to wield American power to defend the US or to help defend our allies,” he said, pointing to the Saudi crown prince.
The US president expressed his optimism about the future of the Middle East, stating that “together we have made unprecedented strides and tremendous progress”. “The dawn of the bright new day awaits the people of the Middle East,” he said. “For the first time in a thousand years the world will look at this region not as a place of turmoil, strife, war and death but as a land of opportunity and hope.”
Trump’s administration has launched the “golden age of America”, and he believes that with the help of the people of the Middle East, the “golden age of the Middle East can proceed right alongside us”. “We will work together, we will succeed together, win together and we will always be friends,” he said.
The event concluded with Trump thanking Mohammed bin Salman, which received a standing ovation. “We are with you all the way,” Trump said, shaking hands with the crown prince on stage as the song YMCA played in the auditorium.
In his speech, Trump also discussed the Israel-Gaza war, saying that “the people of Gaza deserve a much better future”. However, he added that this cannot happen “as long as their leaders choose to kidnap, torture and target innocent men, women and children for political ends”.
Trump expressed his desire to make a deal with Iran, saying “I want to make a deal with Iran. If I can make a deal with Iran I will be very happy.” However, he warned that if Iran’s leadership rejects his “olive branch” and “continues to attack their neighbors”, the US will have no choice but to “inflict massive maximum pressure” and drive Iranian oil exports to zero.