Trump signs $142 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia
US President Donald Trump has signed a massive arms deal with Saudi Arabia worth $142 billion during his visit to the oil-rich Persian Gulf state, marking the “largest defense cooperation agreement” in history between the two countries.
In a statement on Tuesday, the White House said the arms package includes deals with more than a dozen American defense companies across sectors such as air and missile defense, adding that they represent a deepening of economic and military ties between the US and Saudi Arabia.
The White House further described the deals as “historic and transformative” for the United States and Saudi Arabia, saying they “represent a new golden era of partnership” between the two countries.
Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed the agreements at a formal signing ceremony in a gilded ballroom at Riyadh’s Royal Court.
The documents included letters of intent focusing on military cooperation, including the “modernization and development of the capabilities of the Saudi armed forces through future defense capabilities,” enhanced cooperation on “ammunition training, support services, maintenance system upgrades, spare parts and education for land and air systems of the National Guard,” and the “development of the health capabilities of the Saudi armed forces.”
Several other agreements were also signed at the ceremony, including cooperation between the nations’ customs authorities, on “medical research related to infectious diseases,” “judicial cooperation,” and a partnership between Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), among others.
Saudi Arabia is the first stop of Trump’s first major overseas trip in his second term as the US president.
Reports said Trump hopes to sign agreements worth more than $1 trillion during his visit to Saudi Arabia.
The deals include investments in artificial intelligence companies and energy production, as well as arms purchases from American weapons manufacturers, according to the reports.
Earlier reports said the US is no longer demanding Saudi Arabia normalize ties with Israel as a condition for progress on nuclear cooperation talks with the kingdom.
In 2017, Trump chose Saudi Arabia as his first foreign destination, where he secured $450 billion of investments in the US.
The tour will also take Trump to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
In Qatar, Trump is expected to receive a luxury $400 million Boeing 747 to be used as America’s Air Force One presidential plane.
