MBS Visits France Amid Strengthening Ties
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is on his second day of a two-day state visit to France, where he will meet with President Emmanuel Macron.
The visit comes after previous trips by MBS in 2022 and 2023, and marks the third time he has visited France since becoming Crown Prince. The current visit also follows Macron's trip to Riyadh in December, where the two countries signed the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council.
MBS is expected to sign agreements with Macron on health, transport, and energy during his visit. One of these agreements could be a deal for a Dragon Ball-themed amusement park in Paris, backed by a Saudi investment fund and inspired by the iconic Japanese manga series.
The two leaders will also discuss regional security and their economic ties, including new pipelines, capacity upgrades, and alternative port networks to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. This is particularly relevant given recent disruptions to shipping due to the US-Israeli war on Iran, which has sent oil prices soaring above $100 per barrel.
The visit marks a significant step in the evolving relationship between Saudi Arabia and France, with trade between the two countries reaching $4.5bn in 2024. The agreements signed during MBS's visit are expected to further strengthen economic ties between the two nations.