skip to contentAdvertisementThe visit is the crown prince’s first to the White House in more than seven years.By: Express Web Desk November 18, 2025 11:02 PM IST First published on: Nov 18, 2025 at 10:56 PM IST ShareWhatsapptwitterFacebookPresident Donald Trump welcomes Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo)US President Donald Trump received Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday, as the two leaders looked to strengthen security ties, expand business cooperation and discuss the future of US-Saudi relations.The visit is the crown prince’s first to the White House in more than seven years. Reuters reported that Trump welcomed him on the South Lawn with a full ceremonial reception that included a military honour guard, a cannon salute and a flyover by US warplanes. The two leaders shook hands on a red carpet before heading inside.WHAT THE TWO SIDES WANTTalks are expected to focus on defence cooperation, civil nuclear projects and major business deals. A senior US official told Reuters the two countries were preparing agreements on defence sales, nuclear energy cooperation and a multibillion-dollar Saudi investment in US artificial intelligence infrastructure.US President Donald Trump shows Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman portraits of former president as they walk along the Colonnade at the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)Trump told reporters on Monday that the United States “will be selling” F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. The kingdom has asked to buy 48 of the aircraft. If approved, this would be the first US sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia and could reshape military dynamics in the Middle East, where Israel has so far been the only country in the region with the jets.Saudi Arabia is also seeking new security guarantees from Washington. Experts expect Trump to issue an executive order offering expanded security commitments, though not a full treaty.ISRAEL NORMALISATION UNLIKELYTrump is expected to again urge Saudi Arabia to take steps towards normalising ties with Israel. Reuters reported that US officials do not expect a major breakthrough during this visit.Most ReadPresident Donald Trump welcomes Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo)The meeting comes as the fallout from the 2018 killing of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi has eased internationally. US intelligence concluded that the crown prince approved the capture or killing of Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He has denied ordering the operation but has said he accepts responsibility as Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler.Relations between Washington and Riyadh were strained after the killing, but the ceremony and schedule surrounding Tuesday’s visit, including Oval Office talks, a Cabinet Room lunch and a formal black-tie dinner, signal that ties have improved.Trump hopes to build on a Saudi pledge made during his own trip to the kingdom in May, when Riyadh committed to investing around $600 billion in the United States.AdvertisementAdvertisementLoading Taboola...