Riyadh: His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, emphasized the shared belief in the importance of economic partnership and trade cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and the United States.
According to Bahrain News Agency, His Royal Highness highlighted the significance of the US as a key trade and investment partner, noting that the trade volume between the GCC states and the US reached approximately US$120 billion in 2024. He expressed eagerness to continue working with the US to strengthen trade exchanges, enhance economic relations, and explore new avenues for cooperation that serve mutual interests.
The remarks were made during the GCC-US Summit held in Riyadh, convened at the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The summit was jointly chaired by HRH the Crown Prince and President Donald Trump of the United States. His Royal Highness emphasized the historic relationship and strategic partnership between the GCC states and the US, which has evolved over decades into a model of cooperation.
HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman recalled the 2017 GCC-US Summit with President Trump, which underscored the importance of enhancing GCC security, combating terrorism, boosting military and defense capabilities, and addressing regional and international challenges through a shared vision for global security and stability.
The Crown Prince further stated the necessity of a stable environment for achieving sustainable development goals. He reaffirmed collaboration with President Trump and GCC states to de-escalate regional tensions, resolve the war in Gaza, and reach a lasting solution to the Palestinian issue in line with the Arab Peace Initiative.
He also reiterated Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting dialogue in Yemen, ending the Sudan crisis, and respecting the sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic. HRH commended President Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Syria, which he believes will alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people.
The Crown Prince expressed hopes for the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India to restore calm, and he affirmed the Kingdom's readiness to continue efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis. He praised President Trump's dedication to resolving these issues.
Concluding the summit, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized the commitment to ongoing cooperation on regional and international matters, aiming to promote peace, security, and stability globally. He expressed optimism that the summit would achieve its objectives, supporting growth and progress for all peoples involved.