Loading ...Trump-MbS Meeting Was Strained Behind Closed Doors: ‘Disappointment & Irritation’
While the two leaders exchanged compliments in front of the cameras, aspects of the private discussion were strained, Axios noted. Officials described Trump as being frustrated by the resistance he encountered from the crown prince on joining the Abraham Accords. Bin Salman presented his stance that a firm commitment toward a two-state solution involving the Palestinians must be made for Saudi Arabia to join the accords.
Trump had “pressed hard” on the issue in the November 18 meeting, Axios underscored. One unnamed admin official explained in the meeting’s aftermath, “The best way to say it is disappointment and irritation. The president really wants them to join the Abraham Accord. He tried very hard to talk him. It was an honest discussion. But MBS is a strong man. He stood his ground.”
Another US official said, “MBS never said no to normalization. The door is open for doing it later. But the two-state solution is an issue.”