Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (WE) — During a high-profile stop in Riyadh on his Middle East tour, President Donald Trump announced a major economic and military agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia. The deal includes a record-breaking $142 billion weapons sale and outlines $600 billion in total Saudi investments in the U.S. economy. The announcement, made Tuesday, marks the most extensive military sales pact between the two nations in history.
According to a White House fact sheet, the agreement expands beyond arms sales. It includes cooperation in energy, mineral development, and technology. U.S. officials described the agreement as a “new golden era” in U.S.–Saudi relations, building on decades of military and financial collaboration.
Trump’s visit to Riyadh comes at the start of his second term’s first major foreign trip. After his stop in Saudi Arabia, Trump plans to visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. These visits aim to strengthen economic and security ties with Gulf nations, though critics argue they also serve Trump’s personal and political goals.
The agreement helps modernize the Saudi military with cutting-edge U.S. equipment and services. More than a dozen American defense firms will take part in the transfer, the White House said. Among the companies expected to benefit are Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics. These companies will supply missile systems, aircraft, radar systems, and cybersecurity tools.
Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting for Al Jazeera, explained that Saudi Arabia has been increasing military spending for years. The Kingdom’s long-term goal is to become self-reliant in defense. This deal marks a major step toward that goal, as well as toward solidifying Saudi Arabia as a strategic ally in the Gulf.
Beyond weapons, Saudi Arabia will invest $20 billion in U.S. energy infrastructure and artificial intelligence development. These investments include data centers, renewable energy platforms, and technology parks. AI projects will likely involve partnerships with American tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud.
The Saudi leadership has signaled its ambition to lead in AI and digital transformation. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sees tech investment as essential to Vision 2030, a plan to diversify Saudi Arabia’s oil-dependent economy. By funding American infrastructure, the Kingdom hopes to gain influence in key global industries.
“This is a game-changing moment for the Saudi economy and its global standing,” said a senior Saudi official, speaking to Reuters. “We’re not just customers anymore. We’re becoming major investors and partners.”
Still, the trip and the agreement drew criticism back home. Trump’s critics pointed to past controversies involving U.S.–Saudi ties. The 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist for The Washington Post, sparked international outrage. The U.S. government concluded that Saudi operatives, under the direction of the Crown Prince, orchestrated the murder inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
That event strained diplomatic relations. But Tuesday’s deal shows the Trump administration remains committed to deepening ties, despite the human rights concerns. Observers worry that economic interests are taking priority over accountability and democratic values.
Some lawmakers also questioned a separate deal involving a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar. Reports suggest the U.S. Department of Defense may accept the jet as part of a diplomatic arrangement. Ethics experts argue that accepting such a gift could violate constitutional clauses against emoluments from foreign governments. The matter remains under review by federal watchdogs.
Trump’s relationship with Gulf leaders dates back to his first term. In 2017, he made Saudi Arabia the first stop of his first overseas trip as president. That visit resulted in an initial $110 billion arms deal and launched a long-term strategy to counter Iranian influence in the region.
As part of that effort, Trump championed the Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations. The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan formally established ties with Israel during his presidency.
However, Saudi Arabia did not join the accords. The Kingdom has remained cautious, insisting that any normalization must come with progress toward a Palestinian state. That position has hardened in the wake of Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.
The conflict, which escalated dramatically in late 2024, has resulted in thousands of Palestinian deaths. United Nations experts have accused Israel of committing acts consistent with genocide. South Africa filed a formal case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide, while the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on war crimes charges.
These developments have fueled outrage across the Middle East. In Saudi Arabia, public sentiment has shifted sharply against normalization, and officials have reinforced their call for an end to occupation and a path to a two-state solution.
For Trump, these tensions present both challenges and opportunities. A normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia would be a major diplomatic victory. But securing such an agreement now seems unlikely, as Riyadh demands tangible commitments for Palestinian statehood—something the Netanyahu government opposes.
Meanwhile, Trump continues to promote economic nationalism. His administration emphasizes that the Saudi deal will create thousands of American jobs. Defense contractors have echoed that claim, stating that the influx of orders will expand operations in states like Texas, Virginia, and Alabama.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce praised the deal, calling it “a signal of strength in U.S. manufacturing and global leadership.” Industry groups also support increased Saudi investment in tech and energy sectors, which they say could improve innovation and infrastructure at home.
But civil society organizations remain wary. Groups like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International argue that strengthening military ties with an authoritarian monarchy sends the wrong message. They warn that U.S. weapons could be used in Yemen or against dissidents, further eroding America’s global standing.
Environmentalists have also criticized the energy portion of the deal. They fear that Saudi investment could promote fossil fuel projects over green alternatives, despite references to renewables. Without specific commitments to climate goals, watchdogs say, the deal may undercut efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
In Congress, reactions have split largely along party lines. Republicans have celebrated the deal as a success for American industry and diplomacy. Democrats, however, are calling for greater scrutiny and accountability. Several senators have proposed oversight measures to track how Saudi-purchased weapons are used, especially in conflict zones.
Trump brushed off the criticism in remarks to reporters, stating that “the deal shows America is open for business and committed to our allies.” He framed the agreement as a win for workers, investors, and national security.
Saudi officials echoed those themes, presenting the deal as part of a broader transformation. “We are building a future where the Kingdom and the United States stand together not just in defense, but in innovation, energy, and economic growth,” said a spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Investment.
As the trip continues, observers will watch closely for new announcements and partnerships. Trump is expected to sign additional memorandums of understanding in Doha and Abu Dhabi. These could include financial services, tech exports, and counterterrorism coordination.
The $142 billion arms deal will take years to implement fully. It involves long-term contracts, phased deliveries, and ongoing training programs. But its immediate impact is clear: the Trump administration is doubling down on its alliance with Saudi Arabia, even as global scrutiny over human rights and regional conflict grows more intense.
Whether the strategy succeeds remains uncertain. The future of U.S.–Saudi relations will depend not only on money and weapons, but also on the broader geopolitical landscape—including the war in Gaza, the fate of normalization with Israel, and the resilience of Trump’s foreign policy agenda in a divided world.
