Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited Saudi Arabia to Washington, DC, where the two leaders reached agreements involving arms sales, civil nuclear cooperation, artificial intelligence, and crucial minerals, and President Donald Trump designated Saudi Arabia as a significant non-NATO ally.
Trump made the announcement at a formal black-tie dinner at the White House on Tuesday evening that he would “take military cooperation even higher” by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a significant non-NATO ally.
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Trump claimed that the designation was “something that is very important to them,” and that he was merely revealing it to you as a result of my desire to keep it a secret for tonight.
A US partner benefits from military and economic advantages without having to commit to any security obligations as a result of this designation.
Trump cited the signing of a “historical strategic defense agreement” between Saudi Arabia and the US.
According to a White House fact sheet, the defense agreement “fortifies deterrence across the Middle East” and “secures new burden-sharing funds from Saudi Arabia to pay for US defense costs.
Trump also disclosed that Saudi Arabia had consented to purchasing 300 American tanks while Trump had approved future deliveries of F-35 fighter jets.
“I’m pleased to announce that we are formally designating Saudi Arabia as a significant non-NATO ally, raising our military cooperation even higher.” – President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸🇸🇦 pic. twitter.com/PXXGGCBPGU
The Saudi-Saudi F-35 deal raises questions about Israel’s “qualitative military edge.”
The Saudi Arabian purchase of the stealth fighter jets would mark Riyadh’s first US sale of advanced fighter jets. 48 of the aircraft’s reportedly have been requested by the kingdom.
Washington views the move as a significant policy change that could alter the Middle East’s military balance, where US law mandates that Israel maintain a “qualitative military edge.”
Israel is the only Middle Eastern nation to have the F-35 so far.
Trump responded to an Al Jazeera interview with Kimberly Halkett about the impact of the jet fighter deal on Israel’s “qualitative military edge.” He said he was aware that Israel would favor Riyadh receiving warplanes of “reduced calibre.”
Trump addressed the crown prince, who was seated next to him in the White House, saying, “I don’t think that makes you too happy.”
They’ve been a fantastic ally, they claim. Israel has been a fantastic ally. Trump referred to the F-35 deal as “a level where they should get top of the line” as far as I’m concerned.
According to Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher, a White House correspondent, Prince Mohammed’s nearly $1 trillion investment in the US included $ 42 billion in funding the purchase of the “most advanced of their kind in the world” F-35 fighter jets, according to Alan Fisher.
Fisher added that lobbyists and the Israeli government had tried to stop Saudi Arabia’s purchase of F-35s.
He continued, “Much more” than Saudi investment in the US was covered by the agreements.”
It involves supporting one another’s economies, industries, and defense. Although politics is not at the top of the list, both nations believe that these agreements could lead to a Middle Eastern political resumption, according to Fisher.
A “clear path” for a Palestinian state
The two nations also signed a joint declaration approving the conclusion of discussions over civil nuclear energy cooperation, which the White House claimed would lay the groundwork for a long-term nuclear energy partnership with Riyadh.
As long as Saudi Arabia and Israel maintain peace under the framework of the Abraham Accords, Israeli officials had suggested that they would not oppose the purchase of F-35s.
Prince Mohammed reiterated this statement during his meeting with Trump, saying that the Saudis would support the Abraham Accords only if there is a viable and guaranteed path to Palestinian statehood.
He stated, “We want to be a part of the Abraham Accords, but we also want to make sure that we secure a two-state solution’s clear path.”
Source: Aljazeera
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