Saudi Crown Prince arrives in Washington for first US visit in 7 years

US President Donald Trump will host Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday (November 18) , with a full welcome ceremony in the morning followed by a dinner in the evening.

According to Bureau Chief Jahanzaib Ali, the atmosphere surrounding the crown prince’s latest trip to Washington is very different from his 2018 visit, when he arrived in the US to promote reforms. However, the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi later that year triggered global criticism and left him isolated on the world stage for a long time.

Now, the crown prince returns as a far stronger and more influential regional leader. He effectively serves as the ruler of Saudi Arabia and has become a major figure in global politics and international investment. As a result, American officials and major companies find it increasingly difficult to ignore his growing power.

President Trump will welcome the crown prince at the White House on Tuesday morning. Analysts believe the visit carries significant diplomatic value for Riyadh because it highlights how much his global standing has changed in recent years. Moreover, Saudi Arabia has eased several religious restrictions and expanded social freedoms, steps widely noticed in the US. At the same time, the crown prince remains focused on transforming the Saudi economy through his Vision 2030 plan.

During the visit, Washington and Riyadh are expected to discuss enhanced defense cooperation, possible nuclear technology transfers, artificial intelligence projects, and large investment opportunities. President Trump is also pushing to advance normalization efforts between Saudi Arabia and Israel, although experts warn that meaningful progress on Palestinian statehood remains necessary for any breakthrough.