History has just repeated itself in the US-Saudi Arabia relations as soon as Donald Trump came to power for the second time. We can recall that Trump had blackmailed Riyadh government and could get $400 billiion under the name of investment. However, Trump had still undecently mocked King Salman, proving how rough and perhaps hateful against Saudi royal family and state.
Trump has just started his second tenure and the target is again Saudi Arabia, this time putting pressure on crown prince to increase the amount of investment from the promised $600 billion to $1 trillion. While requesting, Trump was rude and behaving like a street gang. If you ask Trump, he will probably argue that he is asking the money to protect Saudi Arabia, which is a great illusion that was never realized.
However, this excuse still works to siphon Saudi money. Unfortunately, Saudi officials will pay the amount to appease Trump. Whether Saudis are aware or not, American state is not likely to protect Saudi Arabia from external threats. Particularly the Trump administration seems to have just one friendly state in the region and maybe across the world; Israel.
Trump behaves other countries like America’s client states and threatens with American power. Some countries avoid to confront him and prefer to have better relations to protect themselves from the Trump administration. We can argue here that the so-called investment (to be) made in the US is to protect the investor state from threats of America rather than regional enemies.
Is it worth it then? Certainly not for Saudi Arabia. In economic terms, it is hard to believe that Saudi investments in the US will pay off as the latter does not receive Saudi capital to enable them to make profit. Trump’s statements show that he is just blackmailing Saudi government to get its money. There is even the possibility that the main capital may not return in the future. Preventing reimbursement just depends on balance sheets of American companies that Saudis invest(ed). When they show a loss on paper, Saudi money will melt down dramatically, not mentioning other ways of looting.
In political terms, Americans want to prevent Iran’s expansion not because of Arab states but Israel. However, interestingly, Israel does not pay to America for its protection but receives free funds and weapons. Isn’t it double standards against Saudi Arabia? What is more, so huge amounts of Saudi money is likely to cover American funds remitted to Israel. Thus, Israel’s genocide will indirectly be funded by Saudi money.
Whereas there is no need to sponsor America’s loss stemming from Israel, Ukraine or else. Saudi Arabia is a noble country and its sources are enough to protect the country. There is no weapon that Riyadh can not buy with state wealth. Saudi Arabia does not need the US as much as the US needs Saudi Arabia. A Saudi state acting independent from any great power is more likely to ensure its sovereignty, security and economic interests.
The world has already changed and become multipolar. Those states having independent foreign policies have better positions in international order, so can Saudi Arabia. Plus, even the US respects brave states and does not mess with them.
In addition, besides the inner strength Saudi Arabia has, it has strong friends. For instance, Türkiye will be able to supply any kind of advanced weapons that Saudi state needs within five years. It can either be a customer to Turkish weapons or be a production partner. Saudi government can also think of commencing local arms production.
Overall, Saudi crown prince Muhammad bin Salman should object pressure coming from Donald Trump and say No to him when his requests are not in interest of Saudi state. Certainly prince will be demonized, discredited and insulted but the sun shines after dawn. This does not mean prince bin Salman should challenge the US. He should just remind them that Saudi Arabia is a great country that must be treated on equal terms and get deserved respect. In line with behaviors, a gradual policy change towards the Trump administration is also what bin Salman-led Saudi Arabia needs.
