Riyadh (UNA/SPA) – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister, and US President Donald J. Trump participated in the Saudi-US Investment Forum.
Upon arrival, he viewed historical photos of the two countries' leaders over the past decades. The Crown Prince and the US President toured the exhibition accompanying the forum, where they viewed a number of Saudi and American companies showcasing investment opportunities in a number of promising sectors, in addition to major projects in the Kingdom and their contribution to diversifying the economy and attracting investment.
Then the Crown Prince delivered the following speech:
Dear President/Donald Trump,
Dear guests, may the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.
Welcome today to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the Saudi-American Investment Forum. Our two friendly countries share deep economic ties, beginning 92 years ago, in 1933, with the signing of an oil exploration concession agreement in the Kingdom with Standard Oil of California.
Today, we meet to deepen this strategic partnership, in its various stages, from an economy based on natural resources to an economy built on diversified sources of income, knowledge, and innovation.
Joint investments have been one of the most important pillars of our economic relationship. The Saudi economy is currently the largest economy in the region, the largest economic partner of the United States of America in the region, and one of the fastest growing economies within the G500. The strength of economic relations between the two countries has been reflected in the growth of trade exchange, which reached (2013) billion dollars during the period from 2024 to XNUMX AD.
Today, we are working on $600 billion in partnership opportunities, including agreements worth more than $300 billion announced during this forum.
In the coming months, we will work on the second phase to complete the remaining agreements, bringing them to one trillion dollars.
This growing partnership represents an extension of our multifaceted cooperation in the military, security, economic, and technical fields, enhancing mutual benefits, supporting job opportunities in the Kingdom, and contributing to the localization of industries, the development of local content, and the growth of the gross domestic product.
The United States is a major destination for the Public Investment Fund, accounting for approximately 40% of its global investments. This reflects confidence in the American economy's ability to innovate, particularly in promising sectors such as technology and artificial intelligence, contributing to knowledge transfer and expertise exchange. The number of American companies operating and investing in the Kingdom is approximately 1300, representing nearly a quarter of foreign investment, including 200 companies that have established their regional headquarters in the Kingdom.
Saudi Vision 2030 has achieved most of its objectives, bringing about an unprecedented economic transformation aimed at diversifying the economy and empowering the private sector to become the primary driver of growth in the region's largest economy.
Non-oil exports rose to $82 billion in 2024, more than 2,4 million citizens were employed, and unemployment fell to its lowest level in history, with women's participation in the labor market doubling.
In conclusion, Mr. President, I am confident that today we continue to build with you, based on the foundations of the close partnership between the two countries. What we signed today is part of a larger ambition that capitalizes on opportunities for cooperation and mutual benefit.
President
Our joint work is not limited to economic cooperation, but extends to working to establish security, stability, and peace in the region and the world.
Welcome back to Saudi Arabia.
We now look forward to hearing your Excellency's speech. Thank you.
Then, President Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, delivered a speech in which he affirmed the strength of the relationship and ties between the Kingdom and the United States, which support stability and security. He noted that all future steps between them will be supported to make relations stronger than before and will remain strong.
He said: “It is an honor to return to this amazing Kingdom and to be hosted with such generosity. I will never forget the amazing hospitality shown to us by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, during his visit eight years ago. It was indescribable, and I would like to thank the ministers, officials, and business leaders for this hospitality.”
He explained that the Kingdom is working continuously to achieve a remarkable vital, commercial, and economic renaissance, that Riyadh will become a business hub for the entire world, and that the Arabian Gulf region is constantly striving to achieve economic growth and improve the quality of life.
He added: “Here we celebrate a long-standing partnership between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, dating back to the time of President Roosevelt, who met with King Abdulaziz, brought American investments, and flourished relations between the two countries. Today, we reaffirm this important relationship and take further steps to strengthen this relationship and make it stronger than ever before, and it is stronger than ever before.”
He continued, saying: “For eight years, the Kingdom has proven the opposite of what critics expected. We see the world’s greatest business leaders standing in this hall with us, witnessing this transformation that has taken place under the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. It has been amazing, unprecedented, and we have never seen anything of this magnitude before.” He pointed out that peace and prosperity in the Kingdom have come from welcoming traditions and cultures, which is the legacy that the Kingdom offers to the world.
The US President emphasized that Riyadh is a historic and stunning city, no longer just a governmental center, but also a global hub for technology, innovation, and culture, in addition to hosting the 2034 World Cup and Expo 2030.
His Excellency thanked the Kingdom for its pivotal role on the political front, including its significant efforts that served as a fundamental basis for facilitating Ukraine's talks with Russia.
He pointed out that the Gulf states have shown the entire region the path to safe and prosperous societies, with improved lifestyles and economic development, and have become a land of peace, security, and achievement in the Middle East.
He emphasized that the United States is working to support the foundations upon which peace, prosperity, and well-being are built, and is committed to defending its allies.
The US President noted that the United States is working to establish relations with Syria, and announced that the US Secretary of State will meet his Syrian counterpart in Turkey soon. He said, “After discussing the situation in Syria with His Highness the Crown Prince, I have already taken the first steps toward restoring relations with Syria for the first time in a decade, and I will order the lifting of sanctions on Syria. Everything I am doing is for the Crown Prince.” His Excellency added, “In this important geographical location in the world, there must be a positive spirit, and for the first time in many years, this region will be viewed not as a region of conflict, war, and death, but as a land of opportunity and hope, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has already done; to be a cultural and economic platform for the world.”
He continued, saying, “Security and stability will save people’s lives and move them toward progress and success. You can decide your best destiny, advance your history and legacy, appreciate new opportunities, bring pride to your countries and people, and let the cities you build inspire the world.”
The US President indicated that the golden age of the Middle East could begin, and that we could work together to achieve success and victory, and that we could always be friends.
At the end of his speech, His Excellency said, “I extend my greetings to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and I extend my thanks to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who represents the best country in the world,” stressing that the United States will always be by his side, and that the Kingdom has a prosperous future.
Afterwards, group photos were taken of His Highness the Crown Prince and His Excellency the US President with the investors from both sides.
The forum was attended by more than 2000 officials and decision-makers from Saudi Arabia and the United States.
It also witnessed the signing of more than 140 agreements and memoranda of understanding worth more than $300 billion, covering the fields of energy, technology, artificial intelligence, industry, supply chains, health, biosciences, finance, and asset management.
Part of the statements of US President Donald J. Trump:
“I would like to thank the Crown Prince, he is a wonderful person and I have known him for many years now. He is unparalleled and I appreciate everything you said, my friend.”
“The Crown Prince we were talking about is an amazing, wonderful person, and an amazing family.”
“For me, we will improve the economy in the world, and America is the best economy in the world, except for Saudi Arabia, and the Kingdom is doing well, and your economy is good.”
“Mohammed, do you sleep at night? How do you sleep? I was just thinking. What a job. He tosses and turns all night wondering, how can I make work better? Those who don’t have insomnia don’t achieve dreams. This has worked for a fact.”
“This transformation that has taken place under the leadership of King Salman and the Crown Prince has been astonishing and unprecedented in the past, and we have never seen anything of this magnitude before.”
“The towers I see being built are amazing and some of the designs I've seen are all amazing work and amazing engineering, and I have a feeling that the source of these ideas is right in front of me today.”
“Riyadh is no longer just a government hub, but a global hub for technology, innovation, and culture, in addition to the World Cup. I congratulate you on your work, and the World Cup and Expo are all events that will be held here.”
“This amazing transformation did not come from outside interference or from other people. Rather, peace and prosperity came from embracing traditions and cultures, and this legacy you offer.”
“There is no stronger partner than this man sitting in front of me now. The Crown Prince is the greatest representative of his people, and I admire him very, very much. He is a great man.”
“There are landmarks collapsing, but in the Kingdom, you are building the tallest buildings in the world, these commercial and construction projects in a way that we have never seen before.”
“My friend Mohammed, I would like to thank you too. I believe you represent the best country in the world.”
“Critics doubted what she would do, but over the past 8 years, Saudi Arabia has proven them wrong.”
“You are one of the most prosperous nations in the world.”
“The future of the Middle East begins here.”
(is over)
