Juana Summers (2:06)

Consider this. President Trump is deepening the US Relationship with Saudi Arabia despite the government coming under fire for human rights abuses. Despite the concerns the prince himself ordered the killing of a journalist. Why is Saudi Arabia such an important ally for the United States?

Jason Rezaian (2:23)

Foreign.

Juana Summers (2:28)

From NPR, I'm Juana Summers.

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Juana Summers (3:45)

It's Consider this from npr. President Trump met with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday. The men touted a deal between the two countries. The Saudi government would bring hundreds of billions in investment into the United States, and in exchange, the United States would grant access to key military and technology assets for the Gulf Nation. NPR White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben joined me to talk about the meeting. So, Danielle, I know that there is a whole lot of ceremony around the crown prince's arrival, and this evening there is a black tie dinner. What does all of this tell us about the that President Trump is approaching this visit?

Danielle Kurtzleben (4:23)

Well, it shows very clearly that Trump is really excited about the visit. After all, he's welcomed many foreign leaders this year and he doesn't give them all swanky dinners. So the tone is celebratory. Already today in the Oval Office with the crown prince, Trump was emphasizing potential Saudi investments in the US and really seemed excited about that. So we should expect a lot of investment talk. In fact, there's an event tomorrow called the US Saudi Investment Forum at the Kennedy center, and it's set to include speakers from tech, oil and medicine pharma companies. And so it's really meant to telegraph that the Saudi US Partnership is going to be great for business.

Juana Summers (5:02)

Saudi Arabia has repeatedly come under fire for human rights abuses. I'm thinking specifically of the killing of Washington Post journalist jamal Khashoggi in 2018. And that did come up during today's presser.

Donald Trump (5:14)

Let's listen to as far as this gentleman is concerned, he's done a phenomenal job. You're mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it. And we can leave it at that. You don't have to embarrass our guests by asking a question like that.

Juana Summers (5:35)

And I'll note that US Intelligence has found that Mohammed bin Salman did approve the operation to kill Khashoggi. However, we should say that the crown prince does deny having a role. Tell us more about that exchange today.

Danielle Kurtzleben (5:48)

Well, even before Khashoggi came up at the start of the meeting, Trump praised the crown prince on his human rights record. And then when a reporter asked about Khashoggi, as you heard, President Trump got angry and shockingly didn't condemn the killing and dismemberment of a journalist from an American news outlet. Rather, Trump called Khashoggi, who a Saudi Arabia controversial. Now, the crown prince did answer after that, and he said the killing was a painful incident and that his country has taken steps to make sure nothing like that will ever happen again.

NPR Announcer (6:21)

Right.

Juana Summers (6:21)

Okay. We know that economics and security, they're both top priorities here. What deals are the US And Saudi Arabia hoping to get out of this visit?

Danielle Kurtzleben (6:30)

Well, let's start with what Saudi Arabia wants. That country wants to buy advanced F35 jets, which Trump has said this week the US will sell to them. Saudi Arabia also wants access to advanced AI chips and they want assistance on developing nuclear power. Although today in that meeting, Trump said nuclear cooperation isn't urgent right now. But finally, the Saudis are looking for a defense pact. They want an agreement that the US Would help defend their country if they were attacked.

Juana Summers (6:57)

And what about what the US Wants?

Danielle Kurtzleben (6:59)

Well, the crown prince has already said earlier this year that his country would do $600 billion in investments. In the US today, he said there could be even more investments than that, which Trump got pretty excited about. But also Trump is going to be pushing Saudi Arabia to sign onto the Abraham Accords, which is a series of diplomatic deals he brokered in his first term between Israel and other Arab countries. But there's a pretty significant hurdle to that happening today. Mohammed bin Salman said he wants to be part of the Abraham Accords, but also wants a two state solution. Now, Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of Israel, has said there will never be a Palestinian state.

Juana Summers (7:40)

Last thing and quickly, Danielle, President Trump was also asked today about his family's business dealings in Saudi Arabia. How do you respond?

Danielle Kurtzleben (7:45)

Well, he brushed off any concerns about conflicts of interest. He said he isn't involved in the family business right now, but the ties between the Trump Organization and Saudi Arabia are still there. For example, Trump branded properties are being developed in Saudi Arabia.

Juana Summers (7:59)

NPR White House correspondent Daniel Kurtzleben, thank you.

Danielle Kurtzleben (8:02)

Thank you.

Juana Summers (8:03)

This episode was produced by Gabriel Sanchez and Karen Zamora. It was edited by Jeanette Woods, Dana Farrington and Courtney Dorning. Executive producer is Sami Yenigun. It's consider this from npr. I'm Juana Summers.

Donald Trump (14:04)

Well, thank you very much, everybody. We have a extremely respected man in the Oval Office today and a friend of mine for a long time, a very good friend of mine. And I'm very proud of the job he's done. What he's done is incredible in terms of human rights and everything else. And he's the crown prince, the future king. And I just.

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