US President Donald Trump designated Saudi Arabia as a “Major Non-NATO Ally” of the United States on Tuesday during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House.
The move is part of a new strategic defense agreement between the two countries that focuses on strengthening military and defense cooperation.
Trump announced at a White House dinner marking the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, “Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we are taking our military cooperation to the next level and officially designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, which is very important to them.”
This status, which has been granted to 19 countries so far, provides military and economic benefits such as easier access to defense equipment and intelligence cooperation without direct security obligations.
Bin Salman also increased Saudi Arabia’s investment commitment in the United States from $600 billion to $1 trillion.
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