WASHINGTON (AP) — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will be welcomed at the White House next Tuesday with significant diplomatic decorum, although the visit is not classified as an official state visit.
The day will kick off with an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn, followed by a greeting on the South Portico. President Trump will then meet with the Crown Prince in the Oval Office for a bilateral discussion, and they will proceed to the Cabinet Room for a signing ceremony and lunch, where multiple economic and defense agreements are to be formalized.
That evening, First Lady Melania Trump will host a dinner in the East Room, highlighting the visit's high-profile nature.
Trump's interaction with Gulf nations has been a key focus during his second term, with his initial foreign visit being to Saudi Arabia, where he was received with unusual honor from the royal family. In previous meetings, Trump referred to Prince Mohammed as an incredible man and a personal friend.
On Wednesday, the Crown Prince will attend a U.S.-Saudi Business Council meeting at the Kennedy Center, with expectations that Trump may also participate.
This visit is significant as it marks Prince Mohammed's first trip to the United States since the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an incident that has strained U.S.-Saudi relations. While he has been accused of orchestrating the murder, he has consistently denied involvement. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have worked to improve relations with Saudi Arabia in light of broader regional strategies.
