Trump designates Saudi Arabia a major non-NATO ally during crown prince's White House visit

By Fox News · Fox News

President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that the U.S. will designate Saudi Arabia a major non-NATO ally, unveiling a defense and economic partnership with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a White House dinner marking 80 years of U.S.–Saudi relations. Trump welcomed guests at the official dinner and thanked bin Salman for his visit and investment in the U.S. The crown prince gave brief remarks, thanking Trump and expressing his gratitude while saying he was looking forward to a continued partnership between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Before announcing the new designation, Trump reflected on the nations’ long relationship, recalling a 1945 meeting between President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and King Abdul Aziz. "It’s a special privilege to welcome his royal highness to Washington this year, as we mark the 80th anniversary of the first meeting between [a] U.S. President and a Saudi king ," Trump said. "The two became immediate and warm friends … and right now you have the best friend you’ve ever had." SAUDI ARABIA IS ALREADY AMERICA’S TOP ARMS BUYER, AND NOW TRUMP WANTS TO ADD F-35S He added that ever since the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have been "enduring partners," they were "making that partnership closer and stronger than ever before" Tuesday night. Trump said the partnership reached a new level after a day of meetings and signings with bin Salman. He praised Saudi Arabia’s modernization, calling it "an economic engine and a modern-day miracle," and said new agreements in energy, minerals and artificial intelligence were "unprecedented." He added that Saudi Arabia had agreed to boost its investment in the U.S. from $600 billion to $1 trillion, a move he said would create American jobs and further strengthen the growing alliance. TRUMP SET TO HOST SAUDI ARABIA'S POWERFUL CROWN PRINCE AT THE WHITE HOUSE THIS WEEK "So, that’s why tonight I’m pleased to announce that we’re taking our military cooperation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Ara…