The White House announced Thursday that President Donald Trump's first phone call was with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, sending a clear message about his priorities for the next four years.
US intelligence agencies believe that MBS (as he is known) approved the murder of a Washington Post journalist in 2018 and that the Biden administration handled Saudi relations with caution.
Trump made clear he had no such reservations when he described the crown prince as a “fantastic guy.”
The White House said the two discussed efforts to bring stability to the Middle East and combat terrorism.
“In addition, they discussed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's international economic ambitions for the next four years, as well as trade and other opportunities to enhance the mutual prosperity of the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the report said.
It was previously reported that Saudi Arabia would invest $600 billion in the US
Trump said in a speech to the World Economic Forum that he wanted more and would ask for a reduction in oil prices
“Today it is also reported in the newspapers that Saudi Arabia will invest at least $600 billion in America,” he said.
President Donald Trump addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos via an external link
Trump shakes hands with then Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman during a meeting in Riyadh, May 20, 2017
“But I will ask the Crown Prince, who is a fantastic guy, to round the amount to about a trillion. I think they will because we have been very good to them.
“And I'm also going to ask Saudi Arabia and OPEC to bring down oil costs.”
The crown prince is the de facto ruler of the oil-rich kingdom.
And the call demonstrated Trump's political style of deal-making while building relationships.
During his first presidency, he turned protocol and tradition on its head by making Saudi Arabia the destination for his first foreign trip.
On Monday, hours after he was sworn in, he reminisced about the trip
“The first trip abroad was usually with Britain, but… the last time I did it was with Saudi Arabia because they agreed to buy $450 billion worth of our products,” he told reporters at the Oval Office.
“If Saudi Arabia wanted to buy another $450 billion or $500 — we're increasing it despite all the inflation — I think I would probably go.”
Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is the de facto ruler of the oil-rich state
Trump built close ties with Saudi Arabia during his first administration, which continued after he left office.
For example, its golf courses have hosted host tournaments for Saudi-backed LIV Golf, and the Trump Organization announced a series of projects in Saudi Arabia in December, as well as a $533 Trump Tower in Jeddah.
But Saudi Arabia is often accused of human rights abuses.
Concerns came to a head in 2018 when Saudi agents killed and dismembered Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi, a U.S. resident, in their consulate in Istanbul.
This time, Trump has made it clear that he wants Saudi Arabia to sign the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel.
Foreign Minister Marco Rubio also spoke with the Saudi crown prince.
A State Department readout showed they discussed the “strength of the U.S.-Saudi partnership in this time of profound change.”
