President Donald Trump is preparing to host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) for a high-stakes state visit to the United States from November 17 to 19, 2025, in what could become a defining moment for U.S.–Middle East relations, according to multiple sources cited by the Associated Press, Newslooks, and other major outlets. If finalized, this would be the first foreign state visit of Trump’s second term and the first time MBS has set foot on American soil since the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, a crime that sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles and continues to shape U.S.-Saudi ties.
The White House and the Saudi Embassy have both declined to comment publicly on the summit, but officials familiar with the planning say preparations are well underway. The dates, while tentatively set, could still shift in response to fast-moving geopolitical developments in the region. As one diplomat told Newslooks, “No one is denying it, but no one is confirming it either. That tells you the stakes are high, and the details are still in flux.”
The planned visit is expected to yield a package of agreements, many centered on commercial and trade deals under the Strategic Economic Partnership established during Trump’s May 2025 visit to Riyadh. U.S. officials have indicated that both leaders may sign or witness these agreements during the summit, though the specific details remain closely guarded. The discussions are also likely to include a long-sought bilateral security pact, which could deepen military and intelligence cooperation between the two countries and potentially reshape the security architecture of the Gulf.
According to the Associated Press, the urgency around a security agreement has increased since an Israeli airstrike in September targeted Hamas leaders in Qatar, killing members of the negotiating team and a Qatari security officer. The incident rattled Gulf states and prompted President Trump to issue an executive order guaranteeing Qatar’s security, including a promise of military action if the country were attacked. The move was widely seen as an effort to reassure U.S. allies in the region that Washington remains committed to their defense amid rising instability.
The Trump administration is also hoping the summit will provide momentum to expand the Abraham Accords, the landmark agreements brokered during Trump’s first term that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. Saudi Arabia has so far resisted joining the accords, making its participation conditional on progress toward the creation of a Palestinian state and assurances that Israel will not annex the occupied West Bank. As reported by Newslooks and The Times, Israel has expressed strong interest in establishing ties with Saudi Arabia, viewing it as both a diplomatic and economic opportunity.
The Biden administration’s efforts to expand the Abraham Accords were derailed by the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, which triggered the devastating war in Gaza. However, a fragile ceasefire negotiated by Trump’s team in October 2025 has rekindled hopes that Saudi Arabia might be persuaded to join the normalization process. Officials hope that bringing the kingdom into the Abraham Accords would represent a major diplomatic breakthrough and help stabilize the region at a time of heightened tension.
For MBS, the visit is a chance to signal international legitimacy and open the door to stronger trade and defense ties with the U.S. at a time when Iran-backed proxies and regional instability remain pressing concerns. The crown prince has not visited the U.S. since the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that MBS likely approved the operation, though he has consistently denied any personal involvement. Trump, for his part, publicly questioned the CIA’s assessment, saying, “It could very well be that the crown prince had knowledge of this tragic event: maybe he did and maybe he didn’t.” He later described Khashoggi’s killing as “a shame, but it is what it is.”
Despite the international backlash, both the Trump and Biden administrations have maintained steady diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia, citing the kingdom’s strategic importance as an oil-rich ally and regional power broker. The upcoming visit is expected to reignite debate in Washington over the balance between human rights concerns and realpolitik, especially as Trump seeks to reassert his image as a global dealmaker ahead of a critical election year.
The summit’s agenda is expected to reach beyond security and diplomacy. According to The National and Newslooks, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are poised to announce expanded partnerships in artificial intelligence, energy, and infrastructure. Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering fresh investments in U.S. technology and manufacturing, and is encouraging American companies to establish artificial intelligence research hubs in the kingdom. Nuclear energy collaboration may also be on the table, with the U.S. offering technical assistance for civilian nuclear projects.
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and a key figure in the original Abraham Accords negotiations, has maintained close ties with Saudi Arabia, including a $2 billion investment from the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund in his private equity firm. Kushner, who had been expected to play a less prominent role in Trump’s second term, was brought back into the spotlight during the 2025 Gaza ceasefire negotiations and is likely to be a significant presence during the upcoming summit.
Meanwhile, the regional context remains volatile. Since Trump’s visit to Riyadh earlier this year, the U.S. has bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, escalating tensions with Tehran, a traditional rival of Saudi Arabia. Paradoxically, the Gaza conflict has brought Saudi Arabia and Iran closer together, with MBS meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Qatar last month, as reported by The Times. Observers are watching closely to see how these shifting alliances will impact the broader balance of power in the Middle East.
While the White House and Saudi officials remain tight-lipped, the stakes of the summit are clear. For Trump, a successful visit could help reset or reinforce U.S.–Saudi relations, deliver a high-profile diplomatic win, and showcase his ability to broker deals on the world stage. For MBS, it offers a chance to rehabilitate his image, secure vital economic and security partnerships, and position Saudi Arabia as a key player in the region’s evolving order.
As November approaches, the world will be watching to see whether this long-anticipated summit delivers on its promise—or whether it becomes another twist in the ever-complex saga of U.S.–Saudi relations.