Saudi Crown Prince, President Trump Discuss Iran, Investments

March 15, 2017

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with U.S. President Trump at the White House Tuesday, in what a senior adviser to the Crown Prince claimed was “A historic turning point.”

The meeting discussed Iran as a mutual security threat, as well as investment opportunities within Saudi Arabia. One of those investment opportunities is the Saudi effort to revamp their state finances, by selling up to 5% of the oil corporation Saudi Aramco, in what is set to be the largest public offering ever.

The adviser further commented, “The meeting today restored issues to their right path and form a big change in relations between both countries in political, military, security and economic issues.”

The US government has had a strained relationship with the Saudi regime, largely stemming from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, a deal President Trump has repeatedly condemned, and which the senior adviser informed that the Crown Prince viewed as “very dangerous.”

The Trump Administration is drawing criticism for its new relations with the Saudis. An arms deal that former President Obama halted, citing human rights concerns with the Saudi-led war in Yemen, is now back on the table, and awaits final approval from the Executive Branch. Additional criticism comes as President Trump has severely escalated drone strikes assaults within Yemen.

President Trump had been criticized by other members of the Saudi Royal Family after his proposed “Muslim ban.” In a Twitter war with Saudi Prince Alwaleed Talal, Talal called Trump “a disgrace not only to the GOP but to all America.” President Trump responded:

Prince Mohammed was pleased that the ban didn’t target Islam and the senior adviser went on to state Mohammed, “expressed his satisfaction after the meeting on the positive position and clarifications he heard from President Trump on his views on Islam.”

Photos: Reuters

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Brandon Kirby

Brandon Kirby has a philosophy degree from the University of New Brunswick and is a current MBA candidate finishing his thesis. He is an AML officer specializing in hedge funds in the Cayman Islands, owns a real estate company in Canada, and has been in the financial industry since 2004. He is the director of Being Libertarian - Canada and the president of the Libertarian Party of Canada.