Bilateral talks at White House focus on trade, defense, and regional stability amid renewed Middle East violence

Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump welcomed Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to the White House on Wednesday, as the Gulf kingdom announced plans to invest more than $17 billion in the United States.

The meeting came amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following renewed violence between Israel and Syria. Despite the instability, President Trump reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening ties with regional allies and fostering economic cooperation.

In a joint appearance with reporters in the Oval Office, the Bahraini Crown Prince detailed a series of major investment initiatives, including a multibillion-dollar deal involving U.S. aerospace and energy companies.

According to White House officials, the deal includes a $7 billion agreement for Bahrain’s national airline, Gulf Air, to purchase 12 Boeing aircraft, with options for six more. The package also includes 40 General Electric engines, further cementing U.S. manufacturing ties with the Gulf state.

“These deals mean jobs for Americans and economic growth for both countries,” President Trump said during the meeting. “This is the kind of win-win partnership we are proud to promote.”

The talks also reportedly covered defense cooperation, counterterrorism, and regional stability. Bahrain hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet and has long been a key strategic partner in the Gulf.

The Bahraini delegation’s visit signals a continued warming of U.S.-Gulf relations under Trump, even as broader diplomatic efforts to stabilize the Middle East remain fraught with challenges.