Image Credentials: Image Title: Trump and MBS Seal Strategic Economic Pact as U.S. Business Titans Descend on Riyadh Source: (sora.chatgpt) Date: May 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (sora.chatgpt), and it does not depict a real-world scene.
By Staff Writer with Agencies
Riyadh, May 13 – U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) signed a Strategic Economic Partnership Document on Monday, marking a major milestone in U.S.-Saudi relations as American corporate leaders convened for a high-profile investment forum in the Saudi capital.
Held at the Royal Court in Riyadh, the formal signing ceremony included a suite of wide-ranging agreements spanning defense modernization, energy, mineral resource cooperation, and an ambitious partnership between NASA and the Saudi Space Agency.
According to sources familiar with the talks, MBS is pledging up to $600 billion in Saudi investments into the United States. Trump, however, is reportedly seeking a $1 trillion commitment, noting during a press event, “We’ve been very good to them.”
‼️JUST IN‼️Moments ago, Trump officially signed a 'strategic economic partnership' agreement between the US and Saudi Arabia
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Trump kicked off his Gulf tour today and has received the royal treatment so far from MBS in Riyadh
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We are seeing the multipolar order in full effect pic.twitter.com/wxvR0p3kYV— TheArmchairAnalyst (@Sitting_Analyst) May 13, 2025
Big Business Shows Up
The U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum saw a powerhouse lineup of American business figures, including Tesla founder Elon Musk, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and executives from BlackRock, Citigroup, IBM, Coca-Cola, and several U.S. airlines.
Musk, whose public support for Trump has intensified in recent months, recently launched a Tesla dealership in the kingdom, further deepening his business footprint in the Gulf.
Speaking at the forum, Saudi Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih touted the kingdom’s macroeconomic stability and expanding stock market as key draws for global investors. “Saudi Arabia is undergoing unprecedented transformation, and we want America to be a central part of that journey,” he said.
A Broad Strategic Vision
In addition to economic matters, the new agreement strengthens defense cooperation aimed at modernizing Saudi Arabia’s military and outlines expanded cooperation in space, technology, and sustainability.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, also attending the forum, said deepening ties with Saudi Arabia remain a “top priority” for the Trump administration. “We see enormous potential across all sectors — from AI to aerospace to clean energy,” Bessent said.
The talks come against the backdrop of a growing U.S.-Saudi financial relationship. Saudi Arabia currently holds more than $100 billion in U.S. Treasury bonds and has contributed $2 billion to an investment fund managed by Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who was notably absent from the trip.
In 2024, bilateral trade between the two nations reached $32 billion, with $15.3 billion in direct U.S. investment in the kingdom, primarily in oil, gas, and technology sectors.
Trump’s Gulf Tour Continues
Trump’s visit to Riyadh marks the first stop on a broader Middle East tour, with scheduled visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates later this week. Both countries are home to Trump-branded real estate and hospitality projects, including luxury residential towers in Dubai and Jeddah, and a new golf resort in Qatar.
With Saudi Arabia signaling its intent to become a major global investment hub — and the Trump administration eager to secure long-term financial and geopolitical gains — the Riyadh summit could signal a renewed era of strategic alignment between Washington and the kingdom.