US President Donald Trump on Tuesday met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House to discuss the details of his country's arms deals with the Saudis "in order to protect them," saying that "Saudi Arabia is a very rich country, Some of this wealth. "
"It's a crumple for you," Trump said. "Trump shows a range of weapons that his country makes," Trump said. "It's a billion dollars, $ 645 million ... and $ 6 billion," he told Ben Salman. .
"It is an honor for us to host the Saudi Crown Prince and his accompanying delegation, many of whom I met and met in May during my visit to Riyadh, when Saudi Arabia promised us $ 400 billion to buy our military equipment and other things," he said, adding that " In a place in the world close to the strength of our missiles and aircraft and all our military equipment in terms of technology and quality of equipment, and Saudi Arabia appreciates it. "
He described the relationship (between the two countries) as "at its strongest level at all and understanding each other."
The US president discussed with bin Salman the tension with Iran and the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen, which was criticized in Congress during their meeting, and the talks in the White House part of the first visit of the Saudi crown prince to the United States since he became crown prince in June .
"We have become very good friends in a short period of time," said Trump, who sat alongside bin Salman at the Oval Office. "We have drawn up illustrations illustrating the scope of Saudi purchases of US military equipment," and said "the number of American jobs it provides, What was quoted by "Reuters".
"The relationship now may be at its best and will likely only see further improvement," Trump told reporters during a filming session with the crown prince. "There is huge investment in our country and that means jobs for our workers."
In a rare public English speech, bin Salman praised the US-Saudi alliance.
He pointed out that there is cooperation between his country and Saudi Arabia in the field of defense, pointing out that Riyadh "pays a large part of the defense bill for the entire Middle East."
"The Middle East has begun to change," he said, noting that "we have prepared 100% of the land previously controlled by a pre-eminent organization."
"And we will get out of some of the areas we wanted to get out of it and other countries can take over there."
During the meeting, Bin Salman stressed that "the pillars of friendship between the two countries are strong and that his country is working on a plan to invest 200 billion dollars in the United States and implement the previously agreed projects worth 400 billion dollars."
"We have implemented 50 percent of our economic agreements with the United States."
He pointed out that the cooperation between the two countries provided more than four million jobs directly or indirectly in the United States, in addition to providing jobs in the Kingdom.
The prince will also have dinner with Jared Kouchner, Trump's advisor and his daughter's husband, along with Jason Greenblatt, the two men who oversee the Middle East "peace efforts" in the Trump administration. Prince Mohammed and Kouchner have a close relationship that has sometimes been criticized in Washington for overstepping diplomatic channels.
The Crown Prince is scheduled to meet with members of the US Congress, some of whom have criticized the Saudi campaign in Yemen, particularly the humanitarian situation and civilian casualties. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell hailed the kingdom and criticized a resolution against US intervention in the conflict in Yemen, which is due to be voted on later in the day.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, a sponsor of the resolution, said the United States, a major arms supplier to Saudi Arabia and providing intelligence and logistical support to Saudis in Yemen, should not take part in the three-year war and cause the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.
The Saudi-led coalition is fighting the Houthis, allies of Iran, who deny any help from Tehran and say they are fighting a revolt against corrupt politicians and Western Gulf powers. It is also likely to discuss the blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain on the State of Qatar during the meeting.
Senior US officials say Trump wants to settle the dispute, and Washington is the first leg of the US crown prince's visit, where he will meet with US business and industry to seek investment. Trump is keen to sign multi-billion dollar deals for US companies.
