Trump designates Saudi Arabia as major non-NATO ally

President Trump said Tuesday evening that he has formally designated Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, aiming to deepen military cooperation between the two nations. The big picture: The announcement follows Trump's meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (earlier on Tuesday, when MBS pledged to up Riyadh investments in the U.S. from $600 billion to $1 trillion.Trump also revealed earlier this week that he will sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia — making it the first country in the Middle East other than Israel to obtain the aircraft. State of play: The U.S. currently has 19 major non-NATO allies, including several countries in the Middle East, per a State Department post.Taiwan is treated as an ally but does not hold the same formal designation, according to the post.What they're saying: "A stronger and more capable alliance will advance the interests of both countries, and it will serve the highest interest of peace," Trump said during the Tuesday evening dinner with MBS. "I'm just telling you now for the first time, because I wanted to keep a little secret for tonight," the president said, adding that the two signed a "historic strategic defense agreement" earlier in the day. Of note: During his meeting with the Saudi crown prince, Trump said "a lot of people didn't like" journalist Jamal Khashoggi, whom the U.S. has alleged MBS was responsible for killing.Go deeper: Saudi Arabia wants to buy nearly 300 U.S. tanks, White House saysEditor's note: This article has been updated with more context.

Comments

World news

Canadians mistaking 'best before' and expiry dates are discarding hundreds of dollars in food: study

National Post

<a href="https://www.skysports.com/cricket/live-blog/12040/13473198/the-ashes-live-australia-vs-england-first-test-text-updates-and-latest-score-from-2025-26-series-opener-in-perth" target="_blank">The Ashes live: England struggle in second innings with seven wickets down</a>

about 7 hours ago

Benidorm tourist left scrubbing for days after huge mistake in bid to impress as Hulk

Mirror

Vanity Fair reportedly ‘looking at all the facts’ on Olivia Nuzzi following claims made in fiery article by her former fiancé

about 8 hours ago

Anyone expecting a showdown when Trump met Mamdani got a pretty big surprise

Skynews

Comments

Similar News

Marjorie Taylor Greene to resign from Congress after clash with Trump

Trump says he is ending immigration protections for Somalis in Minnesota

From staunch Trump ally to ‘traitor’: key takeaways of Marjorie Taylor Greene’s career

Trump calls Marjorie Taylor Greene resignation ‘great news for the country’

MTG announces she’s resigning from Congress after nasty public breakup with Trump

Five takeaways from Trump and Mamdani's surprisingly cordial meeting

High-profile Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene to quit Congress after Trump feud

Trump wields dealmaking diplomacy to shape US foreign policy

Trump says Ukraine will have to accept peace plan - but critics warn it has 'real problems'

5 head-turning moments from Mamdani and Trump's surprisingly cordial meeting

Will Trump's no-show eclipse South Africa's G20 moment?

What to Know: Trump Labels Nigeria’s Christian Violence a ‘Genocide’

Trump and N.Y.C.’s ‘communist’ mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani have friendly first meeting at White House

Trump envoys issue ultimatum to Ukraine to sign peace deal by Thursday

‘I’ll stick up for you’: key moments from the cordial Trump-Mamdani meeting

Radio Free Europe's Hungarian Service Shuts Down After Trump Funding Cuts

Trump plots two more $1 million-a-seat dinners for his super PAC next year - despite not being able to run again

Trump wants ‘Trumpcare’ solutions by January 30 as Americans’ health premiums soar

Congress isn’t done with Epstein — but Trump’s thumb is firmly on the scale

Trump Presents Ukraine With a ‘Very Tough Choice’

World news

Canadians mistaking 'best before' and expiry dates are discarding hundreds of dollars in food: study

Halifax throws its founder under the bus: The fall of Edward Cornwallis

Driver’s near miss after bald eagle drops cat through car windshield

Four guards sentenced in beating death of an handcuffed Black man at New York prison

Grizzly bear kills one and injures 11 in attack on schoolchildren in Canada

How Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine has been entirely dictated by Putin

Radiohead’s alt-rock sounds as fresh as ever, even after 40 years

England humiliated by Australia in two-day Ashes defeat

Elderly man dies in attack at Post Office cash machine as murder probe launched

Christmas turkey shortage fears as UK farms hit by 'super strain' bird flu

Agony of Cheryl Cole's former aide who died in horror 120mph storm

House of horrors where 'sex suicide pact Brit went to die' - 'frantic texts, beatings and video’

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky says ‘most difficult moment in history’ as Trump sets peace deal deadline

Ukraine loses land, no Nato and Russia back in the G8: What is in Trump’s 28-point plan to end the war?

I can’t afford to ski, but a Swiss-style chalet in Yorkshire was perfect

Seven helpful things to say to someone who is grieving

We were hit with a £148k inheritance tax bill when mum died at 97 – it’s disgusting

A big week for UK

Trump’s Ukraine deal is the only option – thanks to Europe

Monty Panesar: I tried to rattle Steve Smith – it worked

How to care for evergreen winter shrubs, according to an RHS expert

Judge who wore Elvis wig in court has left the building

Families of Yemeni aid workers detained by Houthi rebels despair for their fate

Frustrations grow in Russia over cellphone internet outages that disrupt daily life

Africa's first G20 summit opens with an ambitious agenda and tries to move on from Trump's boycott

'Cruelest death in history' where man's flesh was torn off and EATEN by prisoners

'I survived the Jim Jones mass suicide and I know why so many made appalling decision'

Teacher avoids £1m payout as she was 'unaware sexual abuse harmed students'

Crew evacuated safely after explosion ignites fire on ship at Los Angeles port

I lied about my £23k salary to fit in with my friends – was I wrong to do so?

‘The worst thing is to win big’ – Why Starmer can’t control his ‘feral’ MPs

At 90, I still cycle twice a week and lift weights – and you can too

I want to ditch Britain for Europe – new EU border rules are the last straw after Brexit

Bryan Cranston is magnificent in All My Sons

Five easy ways to change the way you think – and live happier in the process

The astonishing claim about why Chinese Embassy ‘spy base’ is being approved

How much you’re really saving with a supermarket loyalty card

I’ve been on dozens of solo holidays – here are seven of the best

Hitler, video games and Jaws: How extremists are selling racist T-shirts directly to you

Devastation left by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica like a 'world war', says Olympic medallist

<a href="https://www.skysports.com/cricket/live-blog/12040/13473198/the-ashes-live-australia-vs-england-first-test-text-updates-and-latest-score-from-2025-26-series-opener-in-perth" target="_blank">The Ashes live: England struggle in second innings with seven wickets down</a>

Benidorm tourist left scrubbing for days after huge mistake in bid to impress as Hulk

Ukraine allies to hold talks at G20 on White House peace plan

What Is Trump’s 28-Point Plan to End Russia’s War in Ukraine?

Russian Exiles See Europe Visa Rule as Blow Against Them, Not Putin

Winnipeg Jets fall to Hurricanes 4-3 in Ehlers’ return to Winnipeg

Sinking McBarge in Fraser River blocking B.C. company’s chance to expand

Raptors advance to NBA Cup’s quarterfinals

Scarborough residents baffled by basketball net crackdown

Raptors advance to knockout round of NBA Cup

Fox News station runs ads for handguns featuring Donald Trump’s likeness

Read Marjorie Taylor Greene’s full four-page statement resigning from Congress: ‘I refuse to be a battered wife’

Vanity Fair reportedly ‘looking at all the facts’ on Olivia Nuzzi following claims made in fiery article by her former fiancé

Anyone expecting a showdown when Trump met Mamdani got a pretty big surprise

The Christian converts the US is deporting back to Iran

Tracking build-up of US military planes and warships near Venezuela

India's blind women cricketers chase history at first T20 World Cup