Foreign Pool #1 Visit of Bahrain's Crown Prince to the White House

Good morning,

I will be your foreign pooler for the visit of Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, to the White House today.

Today’s visit to the White House is part of a broader diplomatic and economic engagement aimed at deepening cooperation across defense, trade, technology, and regional security.

Background on Today’s White House Meeting

This marks the Crown Prince’s third visit to the White House during President Trump’s first and second terms.

• On November 30, 2017, his first official meeting with President Trump focused on defense and economic cooperation, with discussions involving approximately $9 billion in military agreements.
• A second visit, on September 16, 2019, included Bahrain’s signing of a Patriot missile defense agreement, alongside broader talks on regional stability and trade.

Developments Earlier This Morning

At 9:30 a.m., Secretary Rubio hosted Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani at the State Department for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Nuclear Cooperation. The agreement reflects Bahrain’s commitment to safe, peaceful nuclear energy development and deeper scientific collaboration with the United States.

White House Itinerary

11:00 AM – The President greets the Crown Prince (Stakeout Location | Open Press)

11:15 AM – Bilateral Meeting in the Oval Office (White House Pool)

11:45 AM – Bilateral Working Lunch in the Cabinet Room (Closed Press)

03:00 PM – President Trump participates in a Bill Signing Ceremony | East Room

Key Topics on the Agenda

1. Defense & Regional Security

• Continued U.S. arms sales and Fifth Fleet support

• Maritime security and counterterrorism operations

• Strategic coordination on multilateral defense (C-SIPA)

1. Iran & Gulf Stability

• Deterring Iranian threats in the region

• Securing maritime trade routes and infrastructure

1. Economic Cooperation

• Advancing a potential U.S.–Bahrain trade agreement

• $17.56 billion in Bahraini investment targeting U.S. tech, defense, and aviation

• Enhanced industrial ties, including with Aluminium Bahrain (Alba)

1. Connectivity & Aviation

• $4.6B Gulf Air–Boeing deal for Dreamliners and engines

• Launch of direct Gulf Air flights between BAH and JFK in October

1. Digital & Technological Transformation

• Cyber and AI collaboration (Oracle, Cisco, Beyon)

• $191M in regional connectivity infrastructure, including the “Khaleej North” cable

1. Middle East Peace

• Follow-up on Bahrain’s role in the Abraham Accords

• Regional diplomatic normalization and Palestinian dialogue

Strategic Significance

This visit reinforces Bahrain’s long-standing status as a Major Non-NATO Ally (since 2002) and key U.S. security partner in the Gulf. From hosting U.S. Naval Forces Central Command to playing a pivotal role in Operation Enduring Freedom and the Afghan evacuation in 2021, Bahrain continues to serve as a critical logistical and strategic hub in the region.

The breadth of this week’s agreements signals an enduring commitment to joint prosperity, peace, and regional resilience.

On Tuesday, July 15, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa met with U.S. Trade Representative Jameson Greer as part of his official visit to the United States.

During the meeting, He reaffirmed the depth and strategic importance of the Bahrain–U.S. partnership, which spans more than 130 years. He emphasized that strategic cooperation and enduring bilateral ties form a solid foundation for continued advancement in areas of mutual interest.

Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa underscored the importance of expanding joint collaboration, particularly in trade, investment, and economic development, to foster greater integration and prosperity. He also highlighted the value of capitalizing on existing bilateral agreements to unlock further opportunities for both nations.

The meeting also included discussions on recent developments in the global economy and other topics of mutual concern.

Nadia Bilbassy- Charters

Al-Arabiya Bureau Chief

President of the White House Foreign Press Group

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