Trump Heads to Persian Gulf for Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE visit
Former President Donald Trump is embarking on a high-stakes tour of the Persian Gulf region this week, focusing on business deals and strategic partnerships with three oil-rich nations: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. This marks Trump’s first major foreign visit of his new term, against a backdrop of nuclear negotiations with Iran and ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The official mission is centered around the belief that \”extremism is defeated through commerce and cultural exchanges,\” as stated by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. This visit comes at a time when U.S. relations with Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, have been strained under President Joe Biden’s administration. However, Trump’s approach aims to strengthen ties with regional leaders through a more transactional approach.
Saudi Arabia has already committed to $600 billion in U.S. investments, covering various sectors such as weapons purchases, technology transfers, and artificial intelligence. Trump is optimistic that this figure could potentially reach $1 trillion. While Saudi Arabia aims to diversify its economy away from oil, these investments are still heavily reliant on oil revenues, which could be impacted by Trump’s efforts to lower global energy prices.
In addition to economic agreements, discussions between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are expected to touch upon a civil nuclear program and expanded defense cooperation. Despite previous talks linking such agreements to potential normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel, Riyadh has made it clear that recognition of Israel is contingent upon progress towards Palestinian statehood.
The UAE, on the other hand, is looking to strengthen its ties with the U.S. and become a global leader in artificial intelligence by 2030. The country has pledged $1.4 trillion in U.S. investments over the next decade, focusing on AI, semiconductors, manufacturing, and energy. The recent decision by the U.S. to rescind restrictions on AI exports further underscores the growing partnership between the two nations.
Trump’s itinerary includes stops in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, a visit to Qatar for talks with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and a final stop in Abu Dhabi to meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Qatar has even offered Trump the use of a royal Boeing 747-8 for his travels, showcasing the close ties between the two nations.
As Trump navigates his tour of the Gulf region, the Iranian government closely monitors the developments. Despite failed nuclear talks in Oman, Tehran is likely seeking to leverage relationships with neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to communicate its interests to the U.S. All three host nations remain vigilant against Iran’s ambitions, particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is seen as a threat to regional stability.
Overall, Trump’s visit to the Persian Gulf region signifies a shift in U.S. foreign policy towards the Middle East, emphasizing economic partnerships and strategic alliances to promote stability and counter extremism in the region.
