Donald Trump and a tale of two Gulf visits

Former US President Donald Trump undertook a significant tour of the Gulf region (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE). Unlike his 2017 visit, this time the emphasis was on securing massive economic deals while consciously excluding contentious geopolitical issues such as Israel, Iran, and Palestine from the agenda.

Strategic Reorientation of US-Gulf Relations

• Detachment from Israel-centric Agenda: Unlike the 2017 visit, Trump avoided any public engagement on Israel-related issues. The US had recently concluded talks with Hamas and the Houthis without involving Israel, reflecting a calculated geopolitical detachment.
• Empathy for Arab Culture: Trump reversed his earlier anti-Islamic stance by lauding Gulf leaders and their modernisation drives. He praised the cultural identity of the region and even criticized past US interventions for destabilizing West Asia.
• Symbolic Shift in Narrative: In his Abu Dhabi mosque address, Trump emphasized the region’s “amazing culture” and credited Gulf leadership for combating extremism — a clear contrast to his earlier “Islamic extremism” discourse of 2017.

Commercial Diplomacy and Investment Focus

• Mega Deals and Defence Sales: Saudi Arabia signed deals worth USD 742 billion, including a USD 142 billion arms agreement and USD 600 billion in trade and investment partnerships in energy, mining, semiconductors, and data centers.
• Qatar and Boeing Contract: Qatar inked USD 244 billion in agreements, including the purchase of 210 Boeing jets valued at USD 96 billion, and defence investments worth USD 38 billion in maritime and air security systems.
• UAE’s USD 1.4 Trillion Investment Framework: The UAE announced a landmark framework focused on AI, energy, and semiconductor infrastructure — indicating a strategic alignment with US technological interests.

Limited but Symbolic Geopolitical Engagements

• US-Syria Diplomatic Breakthrough: Trump met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, marking the first US-Syria presidential interaction in 25 years. US sanctions on Syria were lifted during the meeting.
• Progress on Iran Nuclear Talks: Trump announced in Doha that Iran had “sort of agreed” to the terms negotiated in Muscat — a move welcomed by observers as bypassing Israeli objections.
• Optics over Substance in Strategic Realignment: Despite transactional optics, commentators argue the deals are unlikely to materialize fully. Gulf monarchs reciprocated with symbolic gestures tailored to Trump’s image as a “deal-maker.”

Practice Question:

Q. Critically examine the shift in US foreign policy towards the Gulf region during Donald Trump's 2025 visit, with reference to the strategic exclusion of Israel and emphasis on economic diplomacy. Discuss the implications for regional stability and US credibility in West Asia.