Ever since the modern USSaudi relationship began in 1945 , the United States has been willing to overlook many of the kingdom 's more controversial aspects as long as it maintained oil production and supported U.S. national security policies . Since World War II , the two countries have been allied in opposition to Communism , in support of stable oil prices , stability in the oil fields and oil shipping of the Persian Gulf , and stability in the economies of Western countries where Saudis have invested . In particular the two countries were allies against the Soviets in Afghanistan and in the expulsion of Iraq from Kuwait in 1991 . The two countries have been in disagreement with regard to the State of Israel , as well as the embargo of the U.S. and its allies by Saudi Arabia and other Middle East oil exporters during the 1973 oil crisis ( which raised oil prices considerably ) , the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq ( which Saudi Arabia opposed ) , aspects of the " War on Terror " , and what many in the U.S. see as the pernicious influence of Saudi Arabia after the September 11 attacks . In recent years , particularly the Barack Obama administration , the relationship between the two countries became strained and witnessed major decline . However , the relationship was strengthened by President Donald Trump 's trip to Saudi Arabia in May 2017 , which was his first overseas trip since becoming President of the United States
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Saudi Arabia–United States relations