Trump Declares Saudi Arabia Major Non-NATO Ally

The United States has officially recognized Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally. The announcement was made by President Donald Trump. Trump announced the decision at a black-tie dinner at the White House, where Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was invited.
“Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we are taking our military cooperation to a new level and officially recognizing Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally,” Trump said. “This is the first time I’m saying this, because they were keeping it a little secret for tonight,” he added.
The new status will pave the way for deeper military cooperation with Saudi Arabia and is also important from a symbolic perspective. “It will take U.S.-Saudi defense coordination to a new level,” Trump said. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman thanked Trump for the warm welcome at the White House and said, “We feel at home here.”