Trump ranks Saudi Arabia among key US allies outside NATO

US President Donald Trump has announced that Saudi Arabia has been awarded the status of Washington's key partner outside the North Atlantic Alliance. This was reported on November 18 by ABC News channel.

"Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we are taking our military cooperation to a new level, officially assigning Saudi Arabia the status of an important ally outside of NATO," the channel quoted the head of the White House as saying.

It is specified that Trump announced the signing of a strategic defense agreement between the two countries. Although the details of the agreement have not been made public, it is known that it will simplify the activities of American defense contractors in the Kingdom, provide Saudi Arabia with new opportunities to offset American costs and confirm the status of the United States as Saudi Arabia's main strategic partner.

Thus, Saudi Arabia joined the ranks of such US allies as Australia, Israel and Qatar.

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At a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on November 18, Trump expressed the opinion that Washington allegedly manufactures the best military equipment in the world, including airplanes and missiles. The Crown Prince chuckled at the president's reference to the US Air Force's operation against Iran's nuclear facilities.

Earlier in the day, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia arrived at the White House. During the meeting, the leaders of the two countries shook hands and took a photo together. All this time, Trump was actively saying something to the prince. In addition, six American fighter jets flew over the White House at the time of the meeting.

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