Davos, Switzerland – Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal Alibrahim, announced that the kingdom’s $600 billion expanded package with the United States encompasses investments and procurement from both public and private sectors. This statement marked the first official comment from a Saudi official following U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that the investment figure should be rounded up to $1 trillion.
The Saudi state news agency previously reported that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman confirmed the kingdom’s plan to broaden its investments and trade with the United States over the next four years, amounting to $600 billion, with the potential to exceed that figure.
“This number represents investments, procurement, public and private sector, and it’s just a mirror reflection of the strong relationship,” Alibrahim stated during a panel at the 55th Annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.
President Trump highlighted the magnitude of the investment, stating, “Saudi Arabia will be investing at least $600 billion in America. But I’ll be asking the crown prince – who’s a fantastic guy – to round it out to around $1 trillion.”
Trade Dynamics Between Saudi Arabia and the US
Recent government data shows that U.S. exports of goods to Saudi Arabia have significantly surpassed Saudi foreign direct investment (FDI) in the U.S. in recent years. From 2018 to 2023, the trade relationship demonstrated a notable imbalance, with American exports holding a higher value.
Oil Market Stability and Strategic Priorities
When questioned about the potential for Saudi Arabia to reduce oil prices—a topic Trump addressed by saying he would ask both the kingdom and OPEC to lower prices—Alibrahim emphasized Riyadh’s commitment to long-term market stability.
“The kingdom’s position, OPEC’s position, is all about long-term market stability to ensure there’s enough supply for the growing demand,” he noted, referencing increasing global needs, including from the U.S. and sectors like artificial intelligence.
Following Trump’s comments on Thursday, global oil prices initially dropped but saw a partial recovery on Friday.
Future Economic Collaborations and WEF Expansion
In an additional announcement, Alibrahim revealed that starting in the spring of 2026, Saudi Arabia will regularly host World Economic Forum gatherings, following the success of a previous event held in the kingdom.
This strategic move underscores Saudi Arabia’s ambition to position itself as a central player in global economic discussions and strengthen its ties with leading economies like the United States.
As Saudi Arabia deepens its investments and economic partnerships, the $600 billion package signals not only a robust bilateral relationship but also the kingdom’s broader vision for long-term growth and international collaboration.
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/saudi-economy-minister-says-600-bln-package-with-us-includes-investments-2025-01-24/?utm_source=chatgpt.com