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US to Offer Saudi Arabia $100B Arms Deal During Trump’s Visit
US to propose $100B arms package to Saudi Arabia during Trump’s visit, amid ongoing defense relations. Potential F-35 deal discussed.
ND
by News Desk
2025-04-26
US to Offer Saudi Arabia $100B Arms Deal During Trump’s Visit

The United States is preparing to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth well over $100 billion, according to six sources with direct knowledge of the matter. The announcement of the package is expected to coincide with US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This arms deal comes after former President Joe Biden’s administration made unsuccessful attempts to finalize a defense pact with Riyadh, which was part of a broader negotiation aimed at Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel. Biden’s proposal, which included access to more advanced US weaponry in exchange for curbing Saudi Arabia’s arms purchases from China and limiting Chinese investments, failed to reach a final agreement. It remains unclear whether the Trump administration’s proposal will include similar stipulations.

A US defense official emphasized the importance of the long-standing US-Saudi defense relationship, stating, “Our defense relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is stronger than ever under President Trump’s leadership. Maintaining our security cooperation remains an important component of this partnership.”

The US has been a key supplier of arms to Saudi Arabia for years. In 2017, President Trump proposed a massive $110 billion arms sale, but by 2018, only $14.5 billion of these sales had been initiated. The deals faced scrutiny, especially after the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, leading to Congressional pushback on further arms sales.

In 2021, the Biden administration imposed a ban on the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia as part of efforts to pressure the kingdom to end its involvement in the Yemen conflict, which had resulted in significant civilian casualties.

As required by US law, any major international arms deal must be reviewed by Congress before finalization. Among the key items under discussion is a potential deal involving Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jets, which Saudi Arabia has reportedly shown interest in for years. However, sources indicate that while discussions are ongoing, the chances of an F-35 deal being finalized during Trump’s visit are slim.

 
Tagged:

SaudiArabia

ArmsDeal

DefensePartnership

USSaudiRelations

TrumpVisit

F35Jets
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