Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has arrived in the United States for his first visit since 2018, with talks set to focus on defence cooperation, artificial intelligence and a potential civilian nuclear deal, according to U.S. and Saudi officials.
In his meeting with President Donald Trump, Riyadh is pushing for a formal security pact as it seeks stronger assurances from Washington amid heightened regional tensions. Analysts say the agreement under discussion may mirror the recent U.S.-Qatar pact, offering certain U.S. security guarantees without the full obligations of a mutual defence treaty.
The visit also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s efforts to deepen technology partnerships under its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan. The Crown Prince is expected to hold discussions on access to advanced AI systems and potential collaborations with major U.S. technology firms.
Nuclear cooperation features prominently on the agenda. Riyadh is seeking U.S. support for a civilian nuclear programme, including the right to enrich uranium a request that Washington has approached cautiously due to non-proliferation concerns.
“There is a page that has been turned” on the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, said Aziz Alghashian, a lecturer at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in Saudi Arabia, noting a shift in the tone of bilateral engagement.
The discussions also follow Saudi Arabia’s pledge earlier this year to invest $600 billion in the United States across sectors ranging from defence to AI, according to White House sources.
On the defence front, the kingdom hopes any agreement reached will ensure U.S. backing in times of crisis. But progress on nuclear cooperation has been slow, with U.S. officials insisting that Saudi Arabia abandon domestic enrichment, a condition some in Riyadh find unacceptable, diplomats said.
The visit marks a significant moment in U.S.-Saudi relations, signalling a potential transition from a partnership once grounded primarily in oil interests to one increasingly defined by security, technology and strategic investment.
