Washington: Framed by gold-plated candelabra and chandeliers in the East Room of the White House, US President Donald Trump announced that Saudi Arabia would be designated as a major non-NATO ally (MNNA). The announcement was made during a black-tie gala attended by notable figures such as footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, billionaire Elon Musk, and Apple CEO Tim Cook. Trump emphasized that this designation would elevate military cooperation between the two nations.
According to Anadolu Agency, the designation of Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally comes alongside a pledge from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to boost Saudi investments in the United States from approximately $600 billion to nearly $1 trillion. The move signifies the strengthening of ties between the US and Saudi Arabia, which have historically been intertwined through energy, counterterrorism, and defense collaboration despite occasional tensions.
A major non-NATO ally status is a US classification for countries that maintain close military, trade, and security relations with Washington without being members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This status, as defined by the US State Department, symbolizes the robust partnership between the US and these nations and reflects mutual respect.
Countries with this designation, such as Saudi Arabia, gain access to defense trade and security cooperation benefits. These include participation in joint research and development programs with the Pentagon, privileged access to US weaponry, training, and loans. However, the status does not imply any US security commitments.
Saudi Arabia will join 19 other countries currently recognized as major non-NATO allies, including Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, South Korea, Thailand, and Tunisia. Taiwan is also treated similarly, although it lacks formal designation.
The status offers various military, economic, and security privileges, such as eligibility for loans of US military equipment, hosting US war reserve stockpiles, and entering training agreements. Nations with this status may also purchase depleted-uranium ammunition and engage in cooperative research with the US Defense Department.
Despite the privileges, the designation does not equate to a formal alliance or obligate the US to defend these countries if attacked. It lacks the security guarantees afforded to NATO members, although some countries, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines, have separate defense treaties with the US that do entail defense obligations.
While the White House indicated that Trump and the Saudi crown prince signed a strategic defense agreement, it is unclear if it includes US commitments to defend Saudi Arabia. The long-term implications of this designation and the strategic defense agreement remain to be seen.