• Trump designates Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally.
• This move aims to enhance military cooperation between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
• Saudi Arabia will benefit from defense trade and security cooperation advantages.
• Formal announcement made during a dinner with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
• This designation places Saudi Arabia among 20 other major non-NATO allies.

President Trump announced on Tuesday that he is officially designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, marking a significant elevation of defense ties between the two nations. He stated, "We're taking our military cooperation to even greater heights," emphasizing the importance of this designation at a formal dinner for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House, according to CBS News and Bloomberg.

This designation grants Saudi Arabia certain benefits, including access to defense trade and opportunities for cooperation in joint research and development programs with the Pentagon. Other countries with similar status include Israel, Qatar, and Egypt, according to India Times and Anadolu Agency.

Moreover, Trump's announcement is seen as part of broader efforts to strengthen military alignment, following the signing of a historic strategic defense agreement between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. This agreement is intended to bolster deterrence in the Middle East, although it does not guarantee security for Saudi Arabia in the event of an attack, as per reports from India Times and Anadolu Agency.