Trump Resumes Pressure on Saudi Arabia: Demands Billions and Normalization with Israel
In a return to his familiar strategy, Donald Trump pushes Saudi Arabia for $600 billion and accelerated normalization with Israel, reigniting debates over U.S.-Saudi relations and regional stability.
Watan-In his first steps after returning to the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump has proven that his strategy remains unchanged, as he began imposing his economic and political terms on Saudi Arabia.
In a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump demanded $600 billion under the pretext of addressing the “inflation crisis,” continuing his approach of extorting allies to ensure Washington’s support.
Mohammed bin Salman did not hesitate, affirming the Kingdom’s commitment to providing the funds as a token of loyalty. He also noted Riyadh’s readiness to expedite steps toward normalization with Israel, aligning with the policies Trump promoted during his previous term.
The phone call also included clear hints of an upcoming visit by Trump to Saudi Arabia, during which he expressed his anticipation of resuming “sword dances and lavish gifts,” referencing his previous visit to the Kingdom in 2017.
Trump, who described himself as the “strongest mediator” in the Middle East, emphasized that coordination with Israel would remain a top priority. He stressed that Saudi Arabia must work closely with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to ensure regional stability.
This alliance, championed by Trump, comes at the expense of the Palestinian cause, with Riyadh facing increasing American pressure to advance normalization with the Israeli occupation.
In a related context, it was noted that Trump had previously exploited his visit to Saudi Arabia to financially extort the Kingdom, achieving massive profits for the U.S.
Treasury through arms deals and billion-dollar projects. Today, with his return to the White House, it seems Trump is determined to repeat the same scenario, raising questions about Saudi Arabia’s ability to bear this heavy financial and political burden.
Within this framework, international and local circles are questioning the future of U.S.-Saudi relations under the ongoing policy of extortion and how these pressures will impact the stability of the entire region, especially amid escalating regional tensions. What began as trade deals has now become a symbol of an alliance based solely on American interests, with allies paying the price politically and economically.
