Tracking a decade of trade between Saudi Arabia and the US

The US is one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent trading partners, backed by strong economic ties between the largest economy in the Arab region and the largest economy in the world.

These relations span decades and cover multiple sectors, notably energy, defense industries, technology, and direct investment.

Argaam highlights the volume of trade exchange between Saudi Arabia and the US over the past 10 years, coinciding with US President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, as part of his GCC tour that includes the UAE and Qatar from May 13 to 16, 2025.

The total trade volume between the Kingdom and the US amounted to approximately SAR 1.34 trillion over the decade. During this period (2015 to 2024), Saudi exports to the US reached around SAR 638 billion, while imports from the US totaled SAR 702 billion.

Trade Exchange Between Saudi Arabia and the US (SAR bln)

Saudi Arabia’s key exports to the US include metal products, organic chemical products, fertilizers, aluminum and its derivatives, as well as plastics and plastic products. On the other hand, major imports from the US consist of auto and its parts, aircraft and its components, electrical equipment, and medical devices.

The U.S.-Saudi Business Council (USSBC) was established in 2003 to remove barriers to trade and investment flows between the two nations.

As of 2023, US direct investment stock in Saudi Arabia stood at approximately SAR 202 billion ($ 54 billion), accounting for 23% of total foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Kingdom, according to the Ministry of Investment. The sectors with the largest FDI share include transport and storage, manufacturing, and wholesale and retail trade.

Saudi Arabia ranked 17th among the largest foreign holders of US Treasury securities, with holdings valued at $126.4 billion as of February. Of this, $104.7 billion (83%) was in long-term securities, while $21.8 billion (17%) was in short-term instruments.

In January, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone call with Trump, during which the Crown Prince reaffirmed the Kingdom’s intention to expand its trade and investment ties with the US, targeting $600 billion in investments over the next four years — applicable to rise if additional opportunities arise.