Trump will make Saudi Arabia a major non-NATO ally

President Trump said Tuesday that he will designate Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, marking a step up in defense ties between the United States and the Gulf monarchy.

The President announced the move at a black tie dinner at the White House in honor of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia. Trump and the Prince signed a new strategic defense deal earlier in the day.

Trump also said that the US will sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. The designation of Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally could open the door to further collaboration between the US and Saudi militaries, including easier access to US made military equipment.

There are currently 20 major non-NATO allies, including Egypt, Qatar, Egypt and Tunisia. The US’ close relationship with Saudi Arabia dates back 8 decades, starting with a meeting between King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud and President Franklin Roosevelt on board a US Navy cruiser in 1945.

The White House also said on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia will buy hundreds of tanks and fighter jets, and will partner with the US on artificial intelligence and civil nuclear issues.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledged to invest nearly $1 trillion in the US, up from $600 billion. Saudi Arabia’s human rights record has made it a controversial partner of the US though, notably after its 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

But Saudi Arabia has long been a partner of the US, no matter the President, and it looks like the relationship between the two countries is getting stronger.