Trump Clinches $600 Billion Saudi Investment Commitment, Signs Record Arms Deal

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — In a major geopolitical and economic development, U.S. President Donald Trump secured a $600 billion investment pledge from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, marking one of the largest foreign investment commitments ever made to the United States.

The deal was announced as Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman welcomed Trump with a lavish ceremony at the start of his multi-nation Gulf tour. Trump, visibly enthusiastic, pumped his fist as he stepped off Air Force One to be greeted by the Crown Prince in Riyadh.

Energy, Defense, and Tech at the Core

According to Saudi state media and a White House fact sheet, the sweeping agreement includes investments and partnerships across key sectors such as energy, defense, mining, and technology. A centerpiece of the deal is a record-breaking $142 billion arms package, which the U.S. administration called “the largest defense cooperation agreement in American history.”

The agreement spans over a dozen U.S. defense firms and covers advancements in air and missile defense, aerospace, maritime security, and military communications.

Toward a $1 Trillion Goal

During the US-Saudi Investment Forum held in Riyadh, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman declared:

“Today we hope for investment opportunities worth $600 billion, including deals worth $300 billion that were signed during this forum. We will work in the coming months on the second phase to complete deals and raise it to $1 trillion.”

U.S. business heavyweights including Elon Musk, Larry Fink (BlackRock), Stephen A. Schwarzman (Blackstone), and Sam Altman (OpenAI) joined Trump at the forum, underscoring the strategic importance of the agreement across business and tech sectors.

Trump also engaged with Aramco CEO Amin Nasser, Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih, and Public Investment Fund (PIF) Governor Yaser al-Rumayyan while touring ambitious Saudi development projects.

F-35 Jets on the Horizon?

Although the announcement did not explicitly confirm a sale, sources told Reuters that discussions between the two nations have included the potential sale of Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets, a long-sought asset by the Kingdom.

If approved, the move would deepen U.S.-Saudi military ties and mark a significant expansion in regional defense cooperation.

Focus on Business, Not Israel

Notably, Trump’s itinerary for the Gulf tour does not include Israel, a departure from past visits and a move that has prompted speculation about shifting U.S. regional priorities. The administration says the focus is economic, not geopolitical, though normalization with Israel remains on the table.

“It is my fervent hope that Saudi Arabia will join others in normalizing ties with Israel,” Trump said at the forum. “But you’ll do it in your own time.”

A Message to Iran

Trump also issued a direct warning to Iran, offering a “better path” but reaffirming a stance of “maximum pressure” if a new nuclear deal cannot be achieved.

His comments hint at renewed efforts to both isolate Tehran and promote economic and diplomatic integration between Arab states and Israel, echoing the Abraham Accords brokered during his first term.

Strategic Implications

The investment pledge, defense contracts, and tech cooperation signal a deepening of U.S.-Saudi ties amid global energy shifts, regional rivalries, and a recalibration of America’s presence in the Middle East.

“When Saudis and Americans join forces, very good things happen — more often than not, great things happen,” said Minister al-Falih.

As Trump heads to Qatar on Wednesday and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, the region watches closely for what may come next in a reshaped U.S. economic diplomacy agenda.