WASHINGTON — President Trump on Tuesday promised the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, to help push through long-stalled arms deals for the desert kingdom, saying the transactions would bring billions of dollars in investment and new jobs to the United States.

Trump gave an effusive welcome to the young prince on his first trip to the United States, 10 months after the president’s own sumptuous reception in the kingdom. Mohammed was opening a two-week, coast-to-coast swing, including stops in Los Angeles and San Francisco, as he seeks business ties with American oil, technology and entertainment companies.

As the 32-year-old heir to the Saudi throne began his PR offensive, however, Congress was debating reducing military aid to Saudi Arabia because of alleged atrocities in the war in Yemen. That country has sustained heavy bombardment by Saudi jet fighters using U.S. intelligence, and more than 10,000 civilians have been killed since 2014 while millions more have been displaced or face starvation, according to human rights groups.

Neither the president nor the prince mentioned that debate in their public comments. Trump promised Mohammed delivery on a sizable new arsenal including C-130 transport aircraft, Bradley armored personnel carriers, anti-submarine Poseidon jets and air missile defense systems.

Trump traveled to Saudi Arabia in May on his first overseas trip as president, and boasted that he had come away with billions of dollars in business deals. Little has materialized, however. Tuesday’s discussions seemed aimed at making those transactions happen.


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