Trump visits three of the world's richest countries - Aims for strategic agreements involving major investments
US President Donald Trump will visit three Gulf Arab countries, aiming to forge strategic agreements in the region. These countries also seek to consolidate their role as US partners.
Three energy-rich Gulf Arab countries are racing to turn their influence over Donald Trump into tangible gains, with the president set to visit them next week.
These countries have built personal ties with the president and collectively pledged trillions in American investment, while presenting themselves as key mediators in the conflicts Trump wants to resolve, from Gaza to Ukraine and Iran.
Now, they are being rewarded with the privilege of hosting Trump's first state visit of his second term. The US president will land in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, then travel to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates until May 16.
Given Trump's transactional approach to foreign policy, the Gulf states have much to offer. Behind this carefully crafted strategy to woo the American leader comes a desire to strengthen and formalize their positions as indispensable security and economic partners of the United States.
Relations between the two sides have improved significantly since Trump returned to office. Frustrated by the lack of U.S. interest in their needs under Biden, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had sought to diversify their military, technological and economic ties. With Trump in office, the countries see a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to achieve their goals.
Last year, the US and Saudi Arabia came close to finalizing a historic defense and trade pact, but the deal stalled due to Saudi Arabia's insistence that Israel commit to Palestinian statehood.
Riyadh is also seeking U.S. cooperation to develop a civilian nuclear program, but this has been put on hold due to its insistence on refining uranium domestically, raising concerns in the U.S. and Israel. Uranium, when refined to high levels, could be used to produce nuclear weapons.
The White House's support for a Saudi nuclear program could bring lucrative contracts to American firms.
Perhaps more than any other Gulf state, the United Arab Emirates sees investment as central to its strategy for deepening ties with the United States and securing profits. Among the world's richest countries per capita, the country has pledged trillions of dollars in American investment. Abu Dhabi has even called itself the "capital of capital."
Qatar is the Arab nation with the most formalized security ties with the U.S. It hosts the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East, which the State Department describes as "essential" to U.S. military operations in the region.
Last year, the United States quietly reached a deal extending its military presence at a sprawling base in Qatar for another 10 years. The country also amended a 1992 defense cooperation agreement with the United States, further strengthening their security partnership. Qatar has been a key mediator in a number of conflicts, from the war in Gaza to Afghanistan.
Trump's visit is largely about what he can get from the three Gulf states, experts said, adding that each of the nations is expecting a series of new agreements.
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