Trump Secures Historic $600 Billion Saudi Deal Covering Energy, Defence, And Investment; Calls Crown Prince ‘Friend’

 U.S. President Donald Trump secured a $600 billion commitment from Saudi Arabia to invest in the United States. According to news agency Reuters, Trump punched the air as he emerged from Air Force One to be greeted by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who later signed an agreement with the president in Riyadh on energy, defence, mining and other areas.

Earlier in April, Reuters reported that the US was poised to offer the kingdom an arms package worth well over $100 billion.

"I really believe we like each other a lot," Trump said during a meeting with the crown prince, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler.

Both the US and Saudi Arabia had discussed the potential purchase of Riyadh, Lockheed F-35 jets, reports news agency Reuters quoting sources, referring to a military aircraft that the kingdom is long thought to have been interested in. Immediately, it was unclear if those aircraft were covered in the deal announced on Tuesday.

The US president, who is accompanied by top business leaders including Elon Musk, will go on from Riyadh to Qatar on Wednesday and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.

Trump has not scheduled a stop in Israel. 

"While energy remains a cornerstone of our relationship, the investments and business opportunities in the kingdom have expanded and multiplied many, many times over," Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih told a U.S.-Saudi investment forum.

"As a result ... when Saudis and Americans join forces very good things happen, more often than not great things happen when those joint ventures happen," he said before Trump's arrival.

The US President called the Saudi crown prince a friend and said they have a good relationship, reports news agency Reuters citing a pool report from the Wall Street Journal, adding that Saudi investment would help create jobs in the U.S.

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