Saudi Crown Prince in Washington: Defence Pact, AI Chips and Civil Nuclear Talks Take Center Stage

Saudi crown prince visits Washington to deepen security and technology ties

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has traveled to Washington for high-stakes talks with U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at expanding a decades-long relationship centered on oil and security into new areas of commerce and technology — notably artificial intelligence and civilian nuclear cooperation.

Khashoggi legacy and political context

This is MBS's first visit to the United States since the 2018 killing in Istanbul of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an episode that provoked international condemnation. U.S. intelligence concluded the crown prince approved the capture or killing of Khashoggi; MBS has denied ordering the operation while acknowledging responsibility as the kingdom's de facto ruler. Despite the lingering sensitivity, both Washington and Riyadh appear intent on advancing pragmatic cooperation.

Defence agreement at the top of the agenda

Security guarantees are a central priority for Saudi leaders amid regional instability. Riyadh has long relied on a pragmatic exchange with the United States: favourable oil terms in return for American security support. Saudi officials have pushed for a defence pact that would be ratified by the U.S. Congress, but Washington has made such formalization conditional on Riyadh taking steps toward normalizing relations with Israel.

“There is a page that has been turned,” said Aziz Alghashian, a lecturer in international relations, reflecting a sentiment in some Gulf circles that the two countries want to focus on future cooperation.

Given political constraints in Washington, analysts expect an executive order or similar arrangement — akin to a recent U.S. measure with Qatar — that would deepen bilateral defence consultation and support but likely fall short of the full congressional treaty Saudi leaders seek. Dennis Ross of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy anticipates an order requiring immediate consultation and a menu of responses to threats that could range from arms replenishment and defensive missile deployments to the potential positioning of naval and Marine forces.

AI ambitions and access to advanced chips

Under Crown Prince Mohammed's Vision 2030 economic transformation, Saudi Arabia is pressing for access to advanced computer chips and AI technologies to develop domestic capabilities and become a regional technology hub. This push is in part competitive: the United Arab Emirates recently secured a multibillion-dollar U.S. data centre deal that included access to high-end chips, and Riyadh does not want to fall behind.

Civilian nuclear ambitions and sticking points

Riyadh is also seeking a U.S.-backed civilian nuclear cooperation agreement that would provide access to American technology and security guarantees. Such an arrangement would bolster Saudi efforts to diversify energy sources and close the gap with neighbours like the UAE.

Negotiations have been complicated by U.S. insistence on restrictions that would preclude uranium enrichment and spent-fuel reprocessing — activities that can be linked to weapons pathways. Saudi reluctance to accept those limits has slowed progress, though officials hope the Washington visit will yield statements of progress or a framework for future work.

What to expect from the visit

Observers expect announcements focused on defence cooperation, clearer signals on AI and chip access, and either a step forward on nuclear talks or a commitment to continue negotiations. The final result will likely reflect compromise: stronger consultation and practical support from Washington, but without the full, treaty-level assurances Riyadh has sought.

Reporting: Timour Azhari in Riyadh; Editing: Cynthia Osterman.