PALM BEACH (The Thursday Times)—In a new interview with Bloomberg, former President Donald Trump expressed a notably amicable stance towards Saudi Arabia, emphasising his commitment to maintaining strong ties with the Kingdom. Trump revealed that he has communicated with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman within the last six months, although he did not elaborate on the specifics or frequency of their discussions.
When questioned about the potential impact of increasing U.S. oil and gas production on Saudi Arabia, a country keen on maintaining its energy dominance, Trump dismissed any concerns. He pointed to his personal relationship with the crown prince as a mitigating factor. “He likes me, I like him,” Trump remarked. “They’re always going to need protection … they’re not naturally protected.” He added, “I’ll always protect them.”
Trump took the opportunity to criticise President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama for what he perceives as a deterioration of U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia. According to Trump, their policies have pushed Saudi Arabia towards closer ties with a significant adversary. “They’re not with us anymore,” Trump stated. “They’re with China. But they don’t want to be with China. They want to be with us.”
The former president’s interest in closer ties with Saudi Arabia extends beyond foreign policy. There are significant financial incentives involved. On July 1, the Trump Organisation and DAR Global announced plans to construct a Trump Tower and luxury hotel in Jeddah. Additionally, an investment fund established by his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has secured a $2 billion investment from the Saudi government’s wealth fund.
These ventures highlight the substantial financial stakes for Trump and his family in fostering a close relationship with Saudi Arabia. As Trump continues to navigate his post-presidential career, his ties with Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman remain a notable aspect of his international and business engagements.
