On April 9, 2025, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington to discuss the ongoing conflict in Sudan and prepare for President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia.

Trump's visit will be significant as it marks the first foreign trip of his second term, mirroring his first term's initial trip in 2017, which also included Saudi Arabia.

During their meeting, both diplomats emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship and committed to exploring ways to strengthen this partnership.

The conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in April 2023, has resulted in a humanitarian crisis described by the UN as the worst in the world, with over 12 million displaced and tens of thousands dead.

Both Prince Faisal and Rubio stressed the need for the Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF to return to peace negotiations, protect civilians, and establish humanitarian corridors.

The meeting also addressed Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, which have prompted a U.S. bombing campaign aimed at deterring such aggression.

In addition to regional security, the discussions included increasing economic and defense cooperation between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

The diplomats also discussed the situation in Gaza, focusing on efforts to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages amidst ongoing Israeli military actions.

Overall, the visit and discussions are timely as both nations navigate the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Since October 2023, the conflict in Gaza has resulted in over 50,000 deaths, prompting international calls for a political resolution to the broader Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pledged significant investments in the U.S., promising $600 billion to boost trade and create jobs, which Trump highlighted as a major achievement.

This diplomatic visit comes at a crucial time, arranged prior to the announcement of new U.S. tariffs that have raised concerns about a potential global recession affecting oil prices.