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A high-profile U.S.–Saudi investment forum in Washington brings together top American CEOs as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visits the U.S. for the first time since 2018.

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A High-Stakes Visit Marks a New Business Push

Washington, D.C. is preparing for a rare and closely watched gathering this week as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrives in the United States for his first visit since 2018. His trip coincides with a major U.S.–Saudi investment forum expected to draw some of America’s most influential corporate leaders, underscoring how deeply economic ties continue to shape the relationship between the two nations.

A Return to the U.S. Amid Lingering Global Scrutiny

The crown prince’s return to Washington comes at a sensitive moment. Mohammed bin Salman, widely recognized as MBS, has not visited the United States since the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul in 2018, a murder that triggered global outrage and placed a spotlight on Riyadh’s human rights record.

U.S. intelligence assessments later concluded that MBS approved the capture or killing of Khashoggi, a claim the crown prince has consistently denied. He has acknowledged, however, that as the nation’s de facto ruler, ultimate responsibility rests with him.

Despite the shadow of that crisis, both Washington and Riyadh have worked in recent years to recalibrate the relationship, emphasizing security cooperation, energy strategy, and a growing portfolio of cross-border investment.

Major U.S. CEOs to Attend

The investment forum scheduled for November 19 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts promises to be one of the most high-profile U.S.–Saudi business gatherings in recent memory.

According to a source familiar with the planning, senior executives from Chevron, Qualcomm, Cisco, General Dynamics, and Pfizer are slated to participate. They will be joined by top leaders from IBM, Google (Alphabet), Salesforce, Andreessen Horowitz, Adobe, Halliburton, State Street, Aramco, and Parsons Corp.

The event will take place one day after MBS meets with President Donald Trump, signaling the forum’s importance within the broader diplomatic agenda.

What’s on the Forum’s Agenda

Organizers expect a series of panel discussions covering:

• Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies

• Energy partnerships and the future of oil and renewables

• Aerospace and defense collaboration

• Healthcare and pharmaceutical innovation

• Financial markets, investment flows, and future deals

The wide-ranging topics reflect how far the Saudi economy is trying to diversify beyond oil and how essential U.S. companies remain to that transition.

New Investments and Strategic Deals

The visit follows a series of investment announcements unveiled earlier this year. In May, during President Trump’s multi-day visit to the Middle East, the United States and Saudi Arabia revealed multibillion-dollar commitments aimed at strengthening economic cooperation.

This week’s forum is expected to build on that momentum.

Another significant development emerged on Monday, when President Trump publicly confirmed he intends to approve the sale of U.S.-manufactured F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. The potential deal, long sought by Riyadh, would mark a major expansion of defense ties and give the kingdom access to one of the world’s most advanced combat aircraft.

Analysts See Strategic Motives on Both Sides

Foreign policy and economic analysts say the business-heavy nature of MBS’s visit underscores the Saudi government’s efforts to reposition itself on the world stage.

“Riyadh wants to signal that it remains a pivotal player in global business and technology development,” said a Middle East policy scholar familiar with U.S.–Saudi relations. “Bringing leading American CEOs to the table shows that Vision 2030 is not just a domestic plan it’s a major international investment project.”

For the United States, experts note, the forum offers a counterweight to China’s expanding footprint in the Gulf. Increased American investment in Saudi tech, energy, and defense sectors helps maintain a strategic balance in a region undergoing rapid geopolitical realignment.

Public reaction, meanwhile, remains sharply divided. Human-rights advocates argue that Washington should not deepen its engagement without stronger accountability from Riyadh. Supporters of the forum contend that dialogue and economic cooperation create practical avenues for long-term stability.

A Reset or a Rebranding?

If successful, the Washington forum could mark a turning point for the crown prince’s relationship with the United States shifting the conversation from past controversies to future investments.

For U.S. corporations, Saudi Arabia’s massive economic modernization plans represent an opportunity across multiple high-growth sectors, from AI and cloud computing to healthcare and advanced manufacturing. The country’s Vision 2030 initiative aims to transition the Saudi economy away from its heavy reliance on oil, opening the door to extensive private-sector partnerships.

Diplomatically, the talks and anticipated defense agreements signal that Washington continues to view Riyadh as a critical regional partner, despite longstanding tensions and public criticism.

An Influential Visit With Global Stakes

As delegations gather at the Kennedy Center, the crown prince’s presence highlights a complicated but resilient U.S.–Saudi relationship. With top executives seated beside political leaders, the forum is poised to shape not only future investments but also the strategic direction of one of the world’s most consequential alliances.

Whether this week serves as a true reset or a carefully orchestrated reintroduction, one thing is clear: Washington and Riyadh are preparing to deepen their economic and security ties in ways that will ripple far beyond this visit.

 

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