These major investments have added complexity to the relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia, with many viewing it as hypocritical — Saudi Arabia continues to fund and collaborate with the US despite the US remaining the primary supplier of arms used by Israel in its military campaigns.
The Economic Times
Saudi Arabia and the United States (US) have come under fire, following a trip by US President Donald J. Trump as part of his Middle East Tour. During this trip, Trump visited the Saudi capital of Riyadh. Although this is the first leg of his trip, as he is expected to make a stop in Qatar as well as the United Arab Emirates, the very first leg of the trip has already created criticism as Trump has said that Saudi Arabia announced plans for up to USD600 billion in long-term investments in the US, including both confirmed deals and future commitments. According to Trump, this agreement encompasses various sectors, including a significant USD142 billion arms deal, investments in artificial intelligence, energy infrastructure, and aerospace collaborations.
This investment by the Middle East comes during a time when Israel, a country heavily backed by the US, has increased its genocide and bombardment in Palestine. With this, people have heavily criticised the investment from Saudi to the US. In addition to this, there is also a proposed USD400 million Boeing 747-8 jet, previously owned by Qatar, that has been transferred to the U.S. government, raising ethical concerns– a transfer that manu have gone to call a luxurious gift which would usually not be accepted by a President, as it can be seen as acceptance of bribery or corruption. With this, people have raised questions about the ethics surrounding this trip and the acceptance of such a luxurious gift from President Trump.
In addition to this, the agreement also includes plans for Saudi Arabia to invest USD20 billion in the US energy infrastructure and data centres for artificial intelligence, a collaboration on energy infrastructure and mineral investment – with the agreement not offering much detail to the public, which continues to raise questions among the public.
These major investments have added complexity to the relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia, with many viewing it as hypocritical — Saudi Arabia continues to fund and collaborate with the US despite the US remaining the primary supplier of arms used by Israel in its military campaigns. While a majority of the muslim world will not acknowledge Israel due to its continued genocide on Gaza, some muslim-led nations and their leaders have failed to back the cause, as the UAE, Bahrain, and even Sudan have agreed to recognise Israel as a state. And now, with Saudi Arabia making such generous investments into the US, critics question whether the kingdom’s financial ties to Washington are undermining its stance on Palestine — and whether it, too, is silently drifting toward normalisation at the cost of moral consistency and solidarity with the oppressed.
