President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the US would now consider Saudi Arabia a major non-Nato ally and announced the two countries had signed a “historic” defence agreement.
The announcement came as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited the White House. It will make it easier for the US to share military technology with Saudi Arabia and increase security co-operation. It is also used as symbol of close ties.
“We're taking our military co-operation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major, non-Nato ally, which is something that is very important to them,” Mr Trump said at a dinner with Prince Mohammed.
Only 19 other countries have been given the designation. Mr Trump's announcement came after he welcomed Prince Mohammed to the White House, where the President touted bilateral deals on nuclear energy and critical minerals.
Speaking alongside Mr Trump in the Oval Office earlier, Prince Mohammed also promised an increase in investment in the US to $1 trillion, up from a pledge in May of $600 billion.
Prince Mohammed was greeted with a display of pomp and ceremony, including a military honour guard, a cannon salute and a fly-past of US F-35 and F-16 fighter jets.
Mr Trump hailed Saudi Arabia “a great ally”. Prince Mohammed said there was “no limit” to the scope of business between the two countries.
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