UPDATE - Saudi crown prince’s US visit deepened strategic partnership: Joint statement

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS

By Mohammad Sio and Betul Yilmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) - Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the US deepened the historic strategic partnership between Riyadh and Washington, the two sides said in a joint statement published Thursday by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The crown prince arrived in the US on Tuesday for a three-day visit – his first trip to the country in seven years. His last visit was in March 2018, when he met with President Donald Trump during the latter’s first term.

Following the Saudi-US summit held in Washington, the crown prince and Trump “affirmed their deep commitment to the historic bonds of friendship and strategic partnership” between the two countries, and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation “in all fields.”

Prince Mohammed praised the “positive outcomes” of Trump’s May 2025 visit to Riyadh, which he said elevated bilateral ties “to an unprecedented historic level.”

Both sides reviewed regional and international developments of mutual concern and exchanged views on ongoing crises and efforts to bolster all aspects of their strategic partnership.

The visit included the signing of a Strategic Defense Agreement, a Strategic Partnership for Artificial Intelligence, and a joint announcement completing negotiations on cooperation in civilian nuclear energy.

Other agreements covered a strategic framework for securing uranium, metals, permanent magnets and critical minerals supply chains, a framework to streamline procedures and accelerate Saudi investments, economic and financial partnership arrangements, cooperation in financial markets, mutual recognition of US federal vehicle safety standards, and a memorandum of understanding on education and training.

The crown prince and Trump also attended a US-Saudi investment forum, during which both sides announced nearly $270 billion in agreements and memoranda of understanding.

Bin Salman sent a cable of thanks to the US president after leaving for the kingdom.

According to SPA, the crown prince expressed appreciation for “the warm welcome and generous hospitality” he and his accompanying delegation has received during the visit.

The official discussions between the Saudi crown prince and the US president “affirmed the enduring strength of the historic and strategic relations between the two countries and the continuous efforts of both nations,” he stressed.