US-Saudi Summit Set for November 18 Seeks Defence Pact and Israel Normalisation Momentum
President Trump to host Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House as Washington advances Saudi-Israeli ties and strategic deals
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is scheduled to meet United States President Donald Trump at the White House on November 18 2025, marking a significant chapter in US-Saudi Arabian relations.
The two leaders are expected to discuss a potential defence agreement, deep investment ties and the prospect of Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords normalisation framework with Israel.
Earlier this year Trump visited Riyadh, during which a major arms-and-investment package was announced, and officials now say efforts are continuing to finalise a scaled-back defence pact between Washington and Riyadh.
The pact would likely mirror the executive-order model seen with Qatar and fall short of a full treaty requiring Senate ratification.
Analysts say Riyadh is seeking advanced US weaponry, security guarantees and technology transfer in exchange for closer alignment with US strategic aims.
At the same time, the question of Saudi normalisation with Israel remains central.
The crown prince has reaffirmed that any formal diplomatic recognition of Israel must be linked to concrete progress on Palestinian statehood, in contrast to previous Arab signatories of the Abraham Accords who did not tie recognition to such terms.
Trump has publicly expressed hope that Saudi Arabia will soon join the Accords, while Saudi officials insist a credible pathway toward Palestinian sovereignty is a prerequisite.
Alongside the White House visit, Saudi Arabia is set to host a major investment summit in Washington on November 19, co-hosted with the US-Saudi Business Council.
The summit is expected to explore new ventures in energy, infrastructure and technology, reinforcing the economic dimension of the partnership.
With these overlapping agendas — defence, investment and regional diplomacy — the November visit appears designed to signal a new strategic phase in US-Saudi cooperation.
Observers note that while immediate breakthroughs on Israeli normalisation may be unlikely given the political sensitivities, the defence and economic items offer tangible deliverables.
For Riyadh, deepening ties with the United States strengthens its regional security posture; for Trump, leveraging Saudi alignment with Israel and sustained arms sales reinforces his broader Middle East vision.
The upcoming meetings will therefore be closely watched for signs of shifts in the Gulf’s geopolitical landscape.
The two leaders are expected to discuss a potential defence agreement, deep investment ties and the prospect of Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords normalisation framework with Israel.
Earlier this year Trump visited Riyadh, during which a major arms-and-investment package was announced, and officials now say efforts are continuing to finalise a scaled-back defence pact between Washington and Riyadh.
The pact would likely mirror the executive-order model seen with Qatar and fall short of a full treaty requiring Senate ratification.
Analysts say Riyadh is seeking advanced US weaponry, security guarantees and technology transfer in exchange for closer alignment with US strategic aims.
At the same time, the question of Saudi normalisation with Israel remains central.
The crown prince has reaffirmed that any formal diplomatic recognition of Israel must be linked to concrete progress on Palestinian statehood, in contrast to previous Arab signatories of the Abraham Accords who did not tie recognition to such terms.
Trump has publicly expressed hope that Saudi Arabia will soon join the Accords, while Saudi officials insist a credible pathway toward Palestinian sovereignty is a prerequisite.
Alongside the White House visit, Saudi Arabia is set to host a major investment summit in Washington on November 19, co-hosted with the US-Saudi Business Council.
The summit is expected to explore new ventures in energy, infrastructure and technology, reinforcing the economic dimension of the partnership.
With these overlapping agendas — defence, investment and regional diplomacy — the November visit appears designed to signal a new strategic phase in US-Saudi cooperation.
Observers note that while immediate breakthroughs on Israeli normalisation may be unlikely given the political sensitivities, the defence and economic items offer tangible deliverables.
For Riyadh, deepening ties with the United States strengthens its regional security posture; for Trump, leveraging Saudi alignment with Israel and sustained arms sales reinforces his broader Middle East vision.
The upcoming meetings will therefore be closely watched for signs of shifts in the Gulf’s geopolitical landscape.
