President Trump offered praise to Saudi Arabia for lifting a ban that kept women from driving.
“President Donald J. Trump commends the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s decision today to affirm the right of women to drive in the Kingdom,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement Tuesday evening.
The Gulf nation had been the only country in the region to forbid female drivers. King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud announced the change on Tuesday, and women will be allowed to operate motor vehicles next June.
“This is a positive step toward promoting the rights and opportunities of women in Saudi Arabia,” Sanders said. “We will continue to support Saudi Arabia in its to efforts to strengthen Saudi society and the economy through reforms like this and the implementation of Saudi Vision 2030,” she added, referring to a plan to make vast changes to Saudi Arabia’s governance, economy, and society.
Trump’s first foreign trip abroad as president began with a stop in Saudi Arabia back in May.
