President Donald Trump said he would formally designate Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally in a further strengthening of ties between the two countries, capping a day of dealmaking between the US leader and the kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

“I’m pleased to announce that we’re taking our military cooperation to even greater heights,” Trump said at a White House dinner in honor of the 40-year-old royal. This is “something that is very important to them,” he added.