Trump’s Saudi Pivot: A Billion-Dollar Shift in U.S. Alliances

Watan-In a notable shift in U.S. policy, former U.S. President and current candidate Donald Trump appears to be rearranging Washington’s strategic priorities, placing Saudi Arabia at the top of the list—even at the expense of traditional allies like Britain and Europe.

Western reports, most notably from the British newspaper The Telegraph, reveal that Trump is betting on strengthening economic ties with Riyadh, leveraging his strong rapport with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

This shift comes at a time when Saudi investments in the U.S. are experiencing a significant surge, with Riyadh planning to invest $600 billion, while Trump aims to push the figure to $1 trillion. The “Davos in the Desert” conference in Miami, where Trump delivered a lengthy speech, was a clear signal of this new relationship. He was joined by prominent American figures such as Jared Kushner, his national security advisor Michael Waltz, and even Elon Musk.

The relationship between the two sides is not just political or economic but also involves direct investment projects. Reports indicate that Kushner’s investment fund received $2 billion in Saudi funding, while Eric Trump announced a project to build a Trump Tower in Jeddah. These developments confirm Trump’s ambition to turn Saudi Arabia into America’s top investment destination, potentially reshaping Washington’s traditional alliances on the global stage.

The Trump-Saudi alliance raises questions about its impact on U.S. relations with Europe and Britain, especially as traditional allies become less relevant in favor of economic interests. Are we witnessing a new era of alliances driven by money and investment rather than history and political ties? And can Mohammed bin Salman capitalize on this relationship, or is it merely a drain on the kingdom’s billions? Only time will reveal the true impact of this partnership on Saudi Arabia’s future and global standing.