&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Trump upgrades Saudi Arabia to major non-NATO ally status as MBS gets red carpet welcome")
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Nov 18) announced that he was designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally. He made the announcement as he hosted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a gala dinner at the White House. "Tonight, I'm pleased to announce that we're taking our military cooperation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, which is something that is very important to them," Trump said.
Also read | Khashoggi’s widow slams Trump for defending MBS over journalist's murder, demands apology from Saudi prince
A 'secret' revealed?
Speaking to the press, as he hosted MBS for a dinner at the White House, the POTUS added that he was revealing it publicly for the first time. He claimed that "they wanted to keep a little secret for tonight". Only 19 countries currently hold the designation, which grants closer security, intelligence and defence cooperation with the United States. The designation is a symbol of a strong relationship and allows for enhanced military and financial advantages; however, it is not a treaty and can be revoked.
Trump woos Saudi prince
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During what was MBS's first Washington visit in years, Trump pulled out all the stops to impress the Saudi royal, giving Prince Mohammed a flyby featuring the coveted, US-made F-35 stealth fighters, and thundering cannon fire. The flattery continued inside the Oval Office, as Trump called the Saudi a "very good friend" and hailed him as being "incredible, in terms of human rights, and everything else."
Washington and Riyadh later signed a host of deals, including a civil nuclear cooperation agreement that the White House said would last decades. Trump also approved a "major defense sale package" which includes "future deliveries" of F-35s. The two nations also agreed to share AI technology “while protecting US technology from foreign influence.”
