President Donald Trump’s decision to designate Saudi Arabia as a “major non-NATO ally” during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the White House has intensified debate over military cooperation and the future of U.S. relations with one of the region’s most powerful governments. The announcement came during a black tie dinner following an elaborate welcome ceremony, which included a red carpet arrival, a plane flyover and soldiers on horseback.
Trump stated in a message posted by the White House on X, “I’m pleased to announce that we are taking our military cooperation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally.” The Department of State describes the designation as “a powerful symbol of the close relationship the United States shares with those countries and demonstrates our deep respect for the friendship for the countries to which it is extended.” Saudi Arabia joins 19 other countries with the label, a list that includes Israel.
The designation is part of a broader security agreement that President Trump said will “advance the interests of both countries” and strengthen coordination on military and economic initiatives. Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, widely recognized as the country’s de-facto leader, praised the announcement during the dinner. “Today is a special day,” he said. “We think the horizon of the economic cooperation between Saudi Arabia and America is bigger and wider in many areas. We’ve been signing a lot of agreements that can open the door to develop the [relationship] deeper in many areas.”
Central to the discussions were major weapons transactions. Trump said he is planning to sell Saudi Arabia dozens of U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets. Only about 20 countries have acquired or ordered the aircraft, which cost at least $80 million each to produce and require higher long-term maintenance costs. Specialists in the region warn that acquiring F-35s could shift Saudi military capabilities, including in areas where the Kingdom has previously used U.S. weapons, such as its intervention and bombardments in Yemen.
Some observers have raised concerns that the sale could affect Israel’s “qualitative military edge” in the Middle East. This requirement, established in 1968 during the Johnson administration and reaffirmed by every presidential administration since, is intended to ensure that Israel maintains superior military technology compared to neighboring states. The White House meeting also touched on normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and the crown prince said that the establishment of a Palestinian state could advance those efforts.
In addition to the proposed F-35 sale, the White House said that Saudi Arabia has pledged to purchase nearly 300 tanks from the United States. Officials indicated that the additional equipment would be used to “build up its own defense capabilities.” Military analysts note that the accumulation of advanced U.S.-made equipment may alter regional calculations about future conflicts or security partnerships.
Economic agreements were also highlighted during the visit. According to a White House release, Saudi Arabia has agreed to invest nearly $1 trillion in the United States, an increase from the $600 billion pledged during Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia in May. Independent experts caution that the full amount equals the Kingdom’s entire economic output in 2023 and may not materialize in the near term, but the announcement signals an effort to expand U.S.-Saudi economic ties in technology, energy and infrastructure.
The visit again drew attention to the 2018 murder of Washington Post columnist and American permanent resident Jamal Khashoggi. U.S. intelligence assessments concluded that Mohammed bin Salman directly approved the killing. Trump dismissed questions about the crown prince’s involvement, suggesting that the journalist was unpopular, stating that “a lot of people didn’t like that gentleman.” The president criticized the reporter who raised the issue during the White House exchanges.
Progressive lawmakers have expressed concern that the administration’s approach prioritizes weapons sales and economic deals over human rights accountability. Rep. Ilhan Omar, deputy chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said, “Trump’s disgusting display at a White House reception for MBS attacking American journalists on MBS’s behalf and warmly embracing the Saudi dictator marks a new low in longstanding U.S. support for the repressive monarchy.” Omar added, “With announced sales of F-35 warplanes and billions in financial investments, Trump is prioritizing weapons-contractor profits and his own family’s business interests, including Jared Kushner’s private equity firm that took $2 billion from MBS.” She called for Congress to oppose the pending agreements, saying, “After MBS’s consistent use of U.S. arms to devastate Yemen, Congress must do everything in our power to rein in and block Trump’s reckless and corrupt deals.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders also criticized the announcement, citing the contrast between the treatment of Saudi leaders and American families facing rising healthcare costs. “If you’re the royal family of Saudi Arabia, worth $1.4 trillion, Trump rewards your family with F-35 fighter jets after they ordered the murder of a Washington Post journalist,” Sanders said. “If you’re a 62-year old couple in America whose premiums will quadruple? Tough luck.”
Saudi Arabia’s new status will permit the country to participate in additional defense programs, store U.S. weapons on its territory and bid for Pentagon maintenance and repair contracts. It also allows the Kingdom to purchase depleted uranium ammunition. The United States does not, however, have any treaty obligation to defend Saudi Arabia in the event of a military attack, and the agreement does not carry the same commitments as NATO’s mutual defense provisions.
The coming months may bring further congressional scrutiny, particularly regarding new weapons sales that require formal notification to lawmakers. Members of Congress retain authority to introduce resolutions of disapproval, though such measures must pass both chambers to halt an arms transfer. Lawmakers who oppose the deals say they plan to raise questions about the Kingdom’s record in Yemen, its domestic human rights restrictions and lingering concerns about the Khashoggi killing.
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