The relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia has long been defined by a delicate mix of cooperation, dependency, and periodic confrontation. For over seven decades, this alliance has withstood major historical shifts—from the Cold War and Gulf War to post-9/11 counterterrorism campaigns. Its durability has been rooted in shared interests in energy security, regional stability, and economic exchange (Council on Foreign Relations, 2018).
Over the past two decades, the relationship between the two states has experienced periods of tension and conflict due to several regional issues. One of the most divisive issues has been the Iran nuclear deal. Saudi Arabia sees Iran’s regional activities as a direct threat to its security. Yet, the Obama administration proceeded with the 2015 nuclear agreement without Saudi input. The lifting of sanctions on Iran was perceived in Riyadh as a strategic error that increased Tehran’s influence across the region (Washington Post, 2018).
However, the long-standing relationship between the two states has experienced growing tension during Baiden’s presidency term. Unlike his predecessors, Biden took a firmer stance, promising during his campaign to treat Saudi Arabia as a “pariah” in response to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the Kingdom’s military role in Yemen (Al Jazeera, 2021; The Guardian, 2021). These statements signaled a shift from traditional strategic cooperation to a more values-driven foreign policy, intensifying confrontation between Washington and Riyadh.
Still, these strains did not originate with Biden. The relationship began to fray in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and especially during the Arab Spring. Diverging positions on regional conflicts such as the Syrian civil war, the Yemen conflict, and the Iran nuclear deal revealed underlying disagreements. In Syria, Saudi Arabia backed armed opposition groups with initial U.S. support, which later waned, leaving Riyadh increasingly isolated. A similar pattern emerged in Yemen, where U.S. backing for the Saudi-led coalition diminished amid rising global scrutiny and humanitarian concerns (Reuters, 2019).
The situation was further complicated by reports during the 2020 U.S. elections that Trump’s associates allegedly sought financial backing from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, sparking concerns over Gulf influence on American politics (The New York Times, 2020). Ahead of the 2024 elections, Saudi Arabia became increasingly cautious, fearing further diplomatic fallout under a second Biden term.
It is worth highlighting here that Since the 1980s, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, particularly Saudi Arabia, have favored Republican administrations due to their pragmatic and transactional approach to diplomacy. Trump’s presidency was seen as reinforcing the strategic cooperation and minimizing human rights critiques. In contrast, Biden’s foreign policy, with its emphasis on values and rights, has been viewed in Riyadh as impractical and disconnected from the region’s security dynamics (Financial Times, 2023)
As doubts about U.S. reliability deepened, Saudi Arabia began recalibrating its foreign policy. While military ties with Washington remained intact, Riyadh actively sought to diversify its international partnerships. It strengthened economic and diplomatic relations with China, India, and Russia. In 2022, the Kingdom declined a U.S. request to increase oil production during the Ukraine war, instead aligning with OPEC+ to cut output—widely interpreted as a move favoring Moscow and underscoring Riyadh’s growing autonomy from Washington (Financial Times, 2022).
The deepening of Saudi-Chinese relations reinforced this shift. During President Xi Jinping’s visit to Riyadh in late 2022, the two countries signed a range of cooperation agreements, signaling a broader strategy by Saudi Arabia to reduce dependency on Washington and pursue a more multi-aligned foreign policy (BBC, 2022). This culminated in March 2023, when China brokered a surprise deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran to restore diplomatic ties. The agreement underscored Beijing’s rising influence in the region and highlighted a major recalibration of Saudi diplomacy (Foreign Affairs, 2023).
Looking forward, the potential return of Donald Trump to the presidency could reintroduce a period of close strategic cooperation, though uncertainties remain. His recent controversial remarks—such as suggesting the U.S. might “take control” of Gaza—have raised concern even among Gulf allies (Politico, 2024). While these comments may resonate with some constituencies in the U.S. and Israel, they risk complicating ties with Arab partners who seek mutual respect and regional balance.
Conclusion
Despite recent confrontations, the U.S.-Saudi relationship is unlikely to dissolve. Deep-rooted cooperation in energy markets, counterterrorism, and regional security ensures continued engagement. However, the era of uncritical dependency is waning, replaced by a more flexible cooperation, interest-based alliance. The future of this relationship will hinge on how both sides manage conflicting priorities and adapt to the evolving global order. Yet, cooperation will be the dominant approach in their relationship.
References
- Al Jazeera. (2021). “Biden’s stance on Saudi Arabia: Human rights at the forefront.”
- (2022). “China’s Xi visits Saudi Arabia amid strained U.S. ties.”
- Council on Foreign Relations. (2018). “U.S.-Saudi Arabia Relations.”
- Financial Times. (2022). “Saudi Arabia defies U.S. oil requests amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”
- Financial Times. (2023). “Saudi Arabia’s strategic recalibration ahead of the U.S. elections.”
- Foreign Affairs. (2023). “China brokers Saudi-Iran deal: Implications for the Middle East.”
- (2020). “Trump’s Iran strategy: Maximum pressure with limited results.”
- (2024). “Trump’s Gaza remarks: Shifting U.S. policy in the Middle East.”
- (2019). “Saudi Arabia’s role in the Yemen war: U.S. support and strategic interests.”
- The Guardian. (2021). “How Biden’s Middle East policy differs from Trump’s.”
- The New York Times. (2020). “Trump campaign’s outreach to Gulf states: Financial backing concerns.”
- Washington Post. (2018). “The Iran nuclear deal and its impact on U.S.-Saudi relations.”