President of the United States, Donald Trump has said that he has no plans of alienating Saudi Arabia over the murder of a journalist
Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi was allegedly murdered by the Saudi Arabian government after he went into his country’s consulate in Turkey
His death raised a storm that has been felt all over the world and everyone took an interest in what the United State’s response would be
According to Trump, the killing of Khashoggi was a horrible crime, but trade with Saudi Arabia is too valuable to scupper.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was the mastermind behind the murder and the American intelligence agencies confirmed this
READ: Khashoggi recordings ‘appalling’, shocked Saudi intelligence – Turkish President
However, it seems Trump will not be moving against the Saudi Arabian prince, neither will he be cancelling the deals the United States have entered with the Kingdom.
The U.S. earlier meted out sanctions against 17 Saudi officials who were fingered as being instrumental in the murder and while this is a step in the right direction, congress has called for harsher punishments
In a statement released on Tuesday, Trump said that Bin Salman denied any involvement in the killing
“Our intelligence agencies continue to assess all information, but it could very well be that the crown prince had knowledge of this tragic event — maybe he did and maybe he didn’t!” Trump said.
“That being said, we may never know all of the facts surrounding the murder of Mr. Jamal Khashoggi. In any case, our relationship is with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They have been a great ally in our very important fight against Iran.”
Trump said that the United States will continue to partner with Saudi Arabia as this will serve in America’s interests moving forward and as his slogan has always said; ‘America first’