WASHINGTON _ Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived Monday in Washington, the first stop on a two-week trip that will include a visit to Los Angeles to meet with entertainment and defense executives, and Silicon Valley to meet with tech leaders.
The powerful prince, considered the heir apparent to the Saudi throne, is expected to meet with officials from Lockheed Martin Corp., Boeing Co. and the Walt Disney Co. studios, among other companies.
After meeting President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, the prince will pursue investment and technological expertise during his trip, which also includes visits to Seattle, Houston, New York and Boston,
Politically, the prince aims to capitalize on the kingdom's warmer relations with Washington under Trump than under President Barack Obama, to promote weapons deals and to fortify a coalition dedicated to challenging Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional rival.
But he also hopes to convince investors that Saudi Arabia is a safe bet, that its strictly regulated society is becoming less repressive, and that it has more to offer than oil.
Last May, during his first overseas trip as president, Trump went to Riyadh and announced $400 billion in business and arms deals with the kingdom. Little of that has materialized, in part due to U.S. concerns that a Saudi armed intervention in neighboring Yemen's civil war has involved numerous airstrikes on civilian targets.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir said he was confident Prince Mohammed would sign several "memoranda of understanding" to buy U.S. weapons and technology during his visit.
Jubeir, who briefed reporters in Washington on Monday, made clear Saudi Arabia still opposes the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. Trump has vowed to withdraw from the international accord in May unless it is revised.
"It's a flawed agreement," Jubeir said.
