Saudi Crown Prince seals multibillion-euro deals with France amid shifting US ties

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s recent Paris visit culminated in 21 bilateral accords spanning defence, health, AI, emerging technologies and entertainment, topped by a six-billion-euro plan to build three theme parks near the capital. The surge in Saudi-French cooperation reflects a broader regional desire to offset perceived reductions in U.S. security commitments after the war in Iran involving the United States and Israel.

Experts note Riyadh is looking for a strong ally that can act independently on certain issues while preserving its strategic link to Washington. France, eager to diversify its Gulf portfolio and benefit from Paris’s nuclear and UN Security Council standing, sees the partnership as a strategic counterbalance. The deals have drawn protests over Saudi Arabia’s human-rights record, with President Emmanuel Macron’s office rejecting any intent to lecture on such matters. Overall, the arrangement aims to fill gaps left by American disengagement and deepen coordination on Middle-East security, especially concerning Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinian question.