Trump Elevates Saudi Arabia’s Status to Major Non-NATO Ally During State Dinner with Crown Prince

By A Staff Reporter

Washington, D.C.— In a high-profile moment during a White House State Dinner hosted for Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a landmark shift in U.S.-Saudi military relations. He officially designated Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, a status that deepens defense cooperation and provides America’s key Middle Eastern partner access to certain military and financial benefits.

“Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we are taking our military cooperation to ever greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally,” Trump said, underscoring the strategic importance of the U.S.-Saudi partnership.

The announcement is expected to pave the way for enhanced joint military exercises, increased arms sales, and more streamlined defense logistics. For Saudi Arabia, the new status could mean greater access to U.S. defense technology, training programs, and prioritized military support.