Trump lavishes praise on Saudi crown prince, signalling renewed alliance
Four years ago, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman struggled to get an audience with then-US president Joe Biden, who said he wanted to make the Gulf country a pariah after its leader allegedly ordered the murder of a Washington-based journalist.
On Tuesday US President Donald Trump lavished effusive praise on Saudi's de facto ruler, calling him 'an incredible man' and a 'great guy' — and made no mention of human rights concerns in the country.
'I like him a lot. I like him too much,' Trump gushed as cameras flashed and the crowd applauded at an investment summit in Riyadh, where the US president kicked off the first major overseas trip of his second term.
The display of affection for a leader with a contentious history mirrored Trump's first term, when he forged an alliance with bin Salman that deepened through years of mutual flattery and deal making.
The relationship remains anchored in shared interests: Trump is chasing major economic wins and a revived US role in the region, while bin Salman seeks access to advanced technology, military support and a powerful ally in his push to modernise Saudi Arabia and assert regional leadership.
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