US–Saudi Arabia relations

In November, Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) visited the U.S. The visit included meetings with U.S. leaders and many business talks. The trip led to new deals on arms, trade, and technology. One of the key announcements was that the U.S. moved to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. Only Israel had this privilege in the region up to now. The two sides also spoke of closer military ties. This was a big shift in policy and drew a lot of attention. 

The U.S. also called Saudi Arabia a “major non-NATO ally”. This label makes military and security cooperation easier. It can speed up arms deals and joint training. It shows that the U.S. sees Saudi Arabia as a long-term partner in the Middle East. But it also raised questions in the U.S. Congress and among human rights groups.

Let’s dig into this relationship.

Economic ties

Oil is central to the U.S.–Saudi relationship. Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s top oil producers. The past couple of years, OPEC+ decisions on production changed world oil prices. Saudi choices on how much oil to produce affect global markets and U.S. fuel prices. In 2025 OPEC+ began to alter older production cuts and slowly raise output. This move helped lower prices in some months. It also showed that Saudi Arabia can use oil policy as a tool of influence.  They also create new ties that go beyond old oil deals. 

Technology and energy transition are new areas of cooperation. Saudi Arabia has large oil reserves. But it also plans to invest in renewable energy and technology. The U.S. hopes to work with Saudi partners on clean energy, critical minerals, and AI.

Money and investment are another big part of the story. Saudi officials promised large investments in the U.S. in 2025. Some deals aim to fund U.S. projects in technology, energy, and minerals. Saudi money can help U.S. industry and create jobs. At the same time, U.S. leaders want to make sure that such deals do not give one country too much control over key technologies.

Regional common interests

Regional politics are also a reason the two states work closely. They both focus on the same threats in the region. They worry about Iran and the spread of violence. Saudi Arabia also wants safer borders and more trade links. The two states sometimes coordinate military plans and share intelligence. At the same time, they disagree about how fast to try to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Saudi leaders say they want progress for the Palestinians first. That position shapes talks about Israel. 

In 2025, Saudi Arabia played a key diplomatic role in helping Trump manage and resolve conflicts. It acted as a mediator. It hosted high-level U.S.-Russia and U.S.-Ukraine talks. MBS also urged Trump to intervene in Sudan’s civil war. The U.S. agreed to cooperate with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, and others to stabilize the country. Saudi leaders also helped broker a thaw in Syria. They eased Trump’s decision to lift U.S. sanctions as a confidence-building step. By playing this mediator role, Saudi Arabia bolstered Trump’s image as a dealmaker. At the same time, it grew its own ambitions as a diplomatic power broker in the region.

Sources of concern

Human rights and past events still cause tension. Many remember the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Some U.S. officials and many citizens say Saudi Arabia must do more to protect free speech and the rule of law. But others tried to balance these worries with what they call “realpolitik”. They justify it by the need to protect power and security in a dangerous region. This balancing act is hard and will be watched closely by voters and lawmakers. 

The arms sales like the F-35 deal may worry other states in the region. Lawmakers in the U.S. ask how to keep advanced technology safe. There is also the risk that deep economic ties will make it harder for the U.S. to pressure Saudi Arabia on rights or on foreign policy. Plus, Saudi ties with other big powers, such as China, mean the U.S. must compete for influence. 

In short, U.S.–Saudi ties in 2025 mix old interests and new priorities. They include shared security goals, oil, and business deals. But there is also a move into new fields like AI and civil nuclear work. The two states are partners in some ways and rivals in others. How they manage human rights, arms control, and new technology will shape their relationship for years to come.

Decoding geopolitics isn’t a job. It’s survival.

Joy