Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will travel to the United States for the first time since the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, marking a major diplomatic moment for both countries as they rebuild relations under President Donald Trump. The visit comes months after Trump’s high-profile trip to Riyadh, during which Saudi Arabia agreed to a trade and investment package worth an estimated six hundred billion dollars aimed at deepening economic and strategic cooperation.
The itinerary has not been publicly detailed, but U.S. officials confirmed that the crown prince will meet with senior members of the administration, business leaders and national security advisers. The visit signals a renewed phase in U.S. Saudi relations, following years of tension that began after U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Khashoggi’s killing inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was carried out by agents linked to the crown prince’s security apparatus. Riyadh denied that the crown prince ordered the killing, though global pressure led to limited prosecutions within the kingdom and a long-term diplomatic chill with Western partners.
The trip reflects a new political environment in Washington. Trump has made close cooperation with Saudi Arabia a central feature of his foreign policy agenda, highlighting defense partnerships, energy coordination and investment opportunities. His return to office has paved the way for a reset in bilateral ties after a period of strained engagement under previous administrations. Senior officials describe the upcoming visit as a milestone in reestablishing high-level dialogue with one of America’s most important regional partners.
For Saudi Arabia, the visit is an opportunity to demonstrate international legitimacy following the fallout from the Khashoggi case. Since 2018, the crown prince has faced global scrutiny, protests and calls for accountability. Several Western leaders avoided formal meetings with him, and investors briefly pulled back from the kingdom’s ambitious economic diversification plans. Yet in recent years, Saudi Arabia has regained diplomatic momentum through energy diplomacy, major security commitments and outreach to both traditional allies and emerging powers in Asia and Africa.
The crown prince’s visit reflects this strategic recalibration. Riyadh has sought to stabilize relations with Washington at a time when regional security challenges remain significant. Conflicts in the Middle East, shifting alliances and the growing role of external powers such as China
