Analysts say Saudi Arabia's nearly US$1 trillion investment target in the US may not be feasible, viewing it more as optics than a binding commitment. Amid China-US rivalry, new deals signed in November cover infrastructure, technology, and industry, including a civil nuclear cooperation agreement and an AI memorandum of understanding.
Saudi Arabia signed new business deals with Washington in November, covering US infrastructure, technology, and industry. These include a civil nuclear cooperation agreement and a memorandum of understanding on artificial intelligence. However, analysts question whether Riyadh's nearly US$1 trillion investment target is feasible. The South China Morning Post reports that the pledge is more about optics than a binding commitment.
Experts like Niu Xinchun from the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations note that amid intensifying China-US rivalry, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) may prioritize ties with China, such as the Neom project and oil price influences. Data from the International Monetary Fund and the Middle East Council on Global Affairs indicate Saudi Arabia's economy faces oil price volatility and geopolitical pressures, potentially limiting US investments.
Middle East specialists at American University suggest that deals pushed by the Donald Trump administration aim to bolster bilateral relations, but implementation depends on Saudi fiscal capacity. Overall, the event highlights Middle Eastern nations' balancing act in the US-China great power competition.
