UK prime minister plans to meet with Saudi crown prince to discuss trade, defense cooperation

Your support helps us to tell the story

Support Now

Find out moreClose

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Britain’s prime minister said Thursday that he planned to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the “earliest opportunity,’’ after a U.K. newspaper reported that officials from both countries hoped to schedule a meeting between the two leaders before the end of the year in London.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office said he spoke with the Saudi leader on Thursday to discuss developing trade and investment links between the two countries and strengthening cooperation on defense and security.

“The prime minister and crown prince said they would continue working closely together to progress U.K.-Saudi cooperation and looked forward to meeting in person at the earliest opportunity,” Sunak’s office said in a statement.

A meeting in the United Kingdom would be the crown prince’s first visit to the country since dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi Consulate in 2018 in Istanbul, which U.S. intelligence agencies say was ordered by Prince Mohammed. The slaying drew condemnation from countries around the world, including Britain.

The Times of London, citing unidentified sources in the British government, reported Thursday that authorities were working to schedule a meeting before the end of the year, though it said no date had been set.