WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is preparing a ceremonial welcome for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who will be visiting next week. The event is officially classified as a working visit, not a state visit, as the prince is not a head of state.
The schedule includes an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn, a bilateral meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office, and a signing of several economic and defense agreements in the Cabinet Room. First Lady Melania Trump will host a dinner in the East Room later that evening.
The following day, a meeting with the U.S.-Saudi Business Council at the Kennedy Center is expected to draw numerous CEOs, with President Trump likely to attend.
This visit is particularly significant as it marks the crown prince's first trip to the United States since the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, an act linked to him by U.S. intelligence. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have since aimed to restore relations with Saudi Arabia.
Trump's deepening relationship with Gulf nations has been a cornerstone of his foreign policy, exemplified in his first international trip as president, which included Saudi Arabia, where he was greeted with notable honors.
The White House visit provides an opportunity for both leaders to reaffirm ties and address ongoing issues affecting U.S.-Saudi relations.
