"U.S. President Donald Trump stands with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia as F-35 and F-15 U.S. military jets perform a flyover during an arrival ceremony at the White House on November 18, 2025 in Washington, D.C.Andrew Harnik / Getty Images President Donald Trump announced that he is naming Saudi Arabia as a "major non-NATO ally" on Tuesday, during a White House visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in which the leaders discussed major weapons deals that would allow the country to continue ravaging the Middle East."
"This means that Saudi Arabia will benefit from military and economic privileges that are not afforded to other countries. The State Department says the designation is "a powerful symbol of the close relationship the United States shares with those countries and demonstrates our deep respect for the friendship for the countries to which it is extended." There are 19 other countries under this label, including Israel."
"Trump made the announcement at a black tie dinner at the White House with bin Salman, after a splashy red carpet welcome for the human rights abuser earlier that day, with a plane flyover and soldiers parading by on horseback. "I'm pleased to announce that we are taking our military cooperation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally," Trump said in a statement posted by the White House on X. "Today is a special day," said bin Salman, per Politico, at the dinner. "We think the horizon of the economic cooperation between Saudi Arabia and America is bigger and wider in many areas. We've been signing a lot of agreements that can open the door to develop the [relationship] deeper in many areas.""
Saudi Arabia received designation as a major non‑NATO ally, granting military and economic privileges not afforded to other countries. The State Department described the designation as "a powerful symbol of the close relationship the United States shares with those countries and demonstrates our deep respect for the friendship for the countries to which it is extended." The announcement accompanied a White House visit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman featuring a flyover, ceremonial parade, a black‑tie dinner and discussions of large weapons deals. The move expands U.S.–Saudi military cooperation, involves potential arms sales, and drew criticism linking the decision to weapons‑contractor profits and presidential family business interests.
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