Portrait of Mohammed bin Salman
Politician · person
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Mohammed bin Salman on Joe Biden

Strained, pragmatic relations (strong)

TL;DR

Mohammed bin Salman maintains a publicly guarded yet pragmatically engaged relationship with Joe Biden, punctuated by past friction.

Key Points

  • The Crown Prince offered sincere congratulations to Joe Biden on his 2020 election victory.

  • In March 2022, he reportedly stated he did not care if President Biden misunderstood him, emphasizing a focus on Saudi interests.

  • The U.S. administration recognized the Crown Prince's status as head of government, suggesting sovereign immunity in a lawsuit in November 2022.

Summary

Mohammed bin Salman's position on Joe Biden has been characterized by tension stemming from the U.S. administration's initial distancing, particularly regarding the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. Following the election, the Crown Prince offered formal congratulations, expressing a wish to strengthen the historic relationship, although initial reports suggested he was privately unimpressed and favored the former U.S. leader. This early dynamic led to what was described as a 'snub' of the Crown Prince by the Biden administration, signaling a shift in U.S. policy priority.

The relationship has since navigated significant realpolitik, notably concerning energy policy and regional stability. Despite earlier strains, the two leaders eventually met in July 2022, signaling a necessity for engagement. Furthermore, official communications, such as a call in October 2023, show continued coordination on regional security, humanitarian aid for Gaza, and efforts toward peace between Israelis and Palestinians, suggesting a relationship defined by transactional necessity over personal warmth.

Key Quotes

“These allegations made by anonymous sources are entirely false,”

Frequently Asked Questions

Mohammed bin Salman's position on Joe Biden appears complex, characterized by initial tension due to policy differences but evolving into necessary diplomatic engagement. While there were reports of the Crown Prince privately favoring the former U.S. leader, the relationship is fundamentally tied to strategic interests.

Yes, the public stance has evolved from initial perceived avoidance by the U.S. administration to direct high-level engagement. Following a period of strain, the leaders met face-to-face, and subsequent official communications indicate a functional, if sometimes strained, working relationship.

The Crown Prince has made few direct, recent public statements specifically about Joe Biden. However, he once reportedly stated he did not care if the President misunderstood his intentions regarding oil policy. Officially, Saudi Arabia maintains a commitment to the historic relationship.