Trump Administration Weighs F-35 Deal Amid Tensions with China and Israel

The US is considering a deal to sell Saudi Arabia up to 48 F-35 Lightning II jets, despite Pentagon concerns about China’s access to sensitive technology. The proposal has cleared a major hurdle within the US Department of Defense and could be finalized during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the White House in November 2025. The sale has raised concerns about Israel’s ‘qualitative military edge’ in the region and may be influenced by the Abraham Accords framework. The White House has not publicly confirmed the sale, and a Pentagon report cited by the New York Times raises concerns about the deal’s implications.