Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump sent messages from Riyadh on Tuesday on all fronts, including investment, politics, and security.

While Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated that "joint work between Riyadh and Washington is not limited to economic cooperation, but extends to establishing security, stability, and peace in the region and the world," Trump believed that a "great dawn" awaits the Middle East if the region's leaders are able to seize this opportunity, describing Saudi Arabia as "the heart of the world."

Crown Prince's speech

During his keynote speech at the Saudi-US Investment Forum, held on the sidelines of US President Donald Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized that Saudi-US economic relations have been deep-rooted for more than 90 years, spanning energy, knowledge, and innovation. He noted that Saudi Arabia is the United States' largest economic partner in the region, and that "joint investments" are one of the most important pillars of the two countries' economic relations.

The Saudi Crown Prince noted that the potential for partnership opportunities between the two countries amounts to $600 billion, and that the agreements announced at the Saudi-US Investment Forum amounted to $300 billion. He revealed that 40 percent of the Saudi Public Investment Fund's global investments are directed to the United States, highlighting the number of American companies investing in the Kingdom, which now numbers approximately 1,300.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated that "Saudi Vision 2030" has succeeded in bringing about an unprecedented economic transformation aimed at "diversifying the economy and empowering the private sector," emphasizing that "joint work between Riyadh and Washington is not limited to economic cooperation, but extends to establishing security, stability, and peace in the region and the world."

Trump's speech

For his part, US President Donald Trump, during his participation alongside the Saudi Crown Prince at the Saudi-US Investment Forum, said that a "great dawn" awaits the Middle East if the region's leaders are able to seize this opportunity, put aside differences, and focus on common interests. He noted that Saudi Arabia is "the heart and center of the world," and that the US economy is the best in the world, except for Saudi Arabia.

Trump affirmed that he would not hesitate to use military force to defend "our allies and friends" in Saudi Arabia. He expressed his appreciation for Saudi Arabia's role in the talks to end the war in Ukraine. He added that "the Saudi Crown Prince is the best representative of our strong allies," and that Riyadh is on its way to becoming a business hub for the entire world.

Trump noted that the people of Gaza "deserve a better future." He affirmed that his country is working to "stop the horrific war there," reiterating that "the war in Ukraine and the October 7 attack would not have happened if I had been president" at the time, and that he is working to stop them. He warned the "West" in this regard not to "get dragged into another unstoppable war."

Trump spoke about Lebanon, considering it "a victim of the policies of Iran and Hezbollah," and expressing his willingness to "help Lebanon build a better future with its neighbors and achieve economic development." He noted that he had heard that the new leadership in Lebanon is "professional and wants the best."

In his speech, Trump sent a message to Iran, saying that if Iran rejected the "olive branch," he would return to confront it through sanctions. He emphasized that he wanted to make a deal with Iran and that it would never obtain a nuclear weapon.

Regarding the Houthis in Yemen, Trump criticized former US President Joe Biden's decision to remove them from the terrorist list. He stated that his forces had launched more than 1,100 strikes against the Houthis, and that the group would not target any US vessels in the Red Sea again.

Trump praised King Salman's reception and hospitality during his previous visit eight years ago, saying he would never forget it. He also praised Prince Mohammed bin Salman's leadership, expressing his personal admiration for his work in "leading a new and modern Middle East." In front of the audience, he asked the Saudi Crown Prince if he slept at night, expressing his astonishment that most aspects of the Saudi economy now outperform oil, and that Saudi Arabia has proven that its critics were wrong over the past eight years.

Trump said that the "architectural genius" he saw in Saudi Arabia was unprecedented anywhere else in the world, noting that Riyadh has become the high-tech capital of the world. He noted that it is wonderful for Saudi Arabia to host the World Cup and other tournaments, saying that the transformations taking place in this region are incredible, as "the future of the Middle East begins here," as he put it. He praised the development of this region "thanks to its people," expressing his admiration for Saudi Arabia's preservation of its traditions and customs while looking to the future. He continued that the partnership between the two countries will remain strong, and that his administration is taking steps to strengthen this partnership.

Prior to their participation in the Saudi-US Investment Forum, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Chairman of the Council of Ministers, accompanied US President Donald Trump on a tour of the exhibition accompanying the Saudi-US Investment Forum. They were briefed on major projects of the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

The tour also included viewing models of the Saudi stadiums that will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. They also listened to a presentation by Aramco CEO Amin Nasser, along with an explanation from the CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Company. They also viewed a presentation on King Salman Park and the Red Sea Project. They also viewed a number of photos that adorned the exhibition, highlighting the developments in relations between the two countries over the decades.