RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA
The United States completed an arms deal with Saudi Arabia totaling $110 billion Saturday as President Donald Trump seeks to strengthen economic and security ties with one of the world’s largest energy producers.
The agreement, which will take effect immediately, is the largest single arms deal in U.S. history and will create tens of thousands of new jobs in the U.S. defense industrial base, according to the White House.
“That was a tremendous day. Tremendous investments in the United States,” Trump said. “Hundreds of billions of dollars of investments into the United States and jobs, jobs, jobs.”
But the Saudi government quickly announced that 150 Lockheed Martin Blackhawk helicopters would be assembled in the kingdom, leading to about 450 jobs in Saudi Arabia.
May 20, 2017 ">
Trump and Saudi King Salman signed the agreement, as well as other commercial ones totaling another $250 billion, in a signing ceremony late Saturday following a series of meetings and lunch on the president’s first day in Riyadh.
Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson, dressed in a traditional black abaya, watched as the two leaders signed. Lockheed Martin released a statement in which Hewson hailed the agreement as producing “the foundation for job creation and economic prosperity in the U.S. and in the kingdom.”
“This is unprecedented,” Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al Jubeir said at a news conference. “We have not had an agreement signed by a king of Saudi Arabia and U.S. president to codify this strategic relationship. This was a great accomplishment.”
The arms deal represents a win for Trump, who sold himself as a dealmaker in the presidential campaign but whose domestic achievements have been overshadowed by numerous scandals back at home as investigators try to determine whether his associates colluded with Russia in the election.
This package of defense equipment and services is designed to bolster Saudi Arabia as it counters threats from nearby Iran and fights terrorism while reducing the burden on the U.S. military.
The big question mark that you should bear in mind is if Saudi Arabia signs up for a 100 billion dollar arms deal with oil prices where they are today, how are they actually going to pay that in the future?
Bruce Riedel, a senior fellow in the
The sales will include tanks, combat ships, missile defense systems, radar and communications and cybersecurity equipment, according to the State Department. Also included are offers of training and support.
“I would give you all a caution, if you haven’t worked these issues before, that first people always give you the figure which is the highest goal,” said Anthony Cordesman, the Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic & International Studies. “Most of the time it isn’t reached.”
Trump arrived in Riyadh on Saturday – the first stop of his first foreign trip as president – armed with pledges to work with Saudi leaders to fight terrorism, boost economic development and counter Iran.
On Sunday, he will meet with leaders of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council and speak to more than 50 Arab and Muslim leaders largely about combating violent extremism.
May 20, 2017