Donald Trump's Gulf Tour: An Assessment

Donald Trump's recent tour of the Persian Gulf marked a significant moment in his second presidency. Aimed at strengthening economic and diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the visit was punctuated by major agreements, symbolic gestures, and controversial proposals. Saudi Arabia: Spectacular Economic Agreements In Riyadh, Trump was welcomed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Discussions led to a strategic partnership including a defense agreement estimated at $142 billion and joint investments in infrastructure and technology. American companies also invested in Saudi projects, such as King Salman International Airport and King Salman Park. During the Saudi-American Investment Forum, companies like Nvidia and AMD announced plans to supply semiconductors to Saudi artificial intelligence companies. Elon Musk presented Optimus robots to Trump and Mohammed bin Salman, highlighting interest in advanced technologies. Qatar: Strengthening Military and Diplomatic Ties In Doha, Trump met with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Qatar Airways signed an agreement for the purchase of 210 Boeing aircraft, representing the largest order in the company's history. Defense contracts totaling $42 billion were also concluded, including MQ-9B drones and counter-drone systems. Qatar announced a $10 billion investment to modernize Al Udeid Air Base. Trump sought Qatar's help to revive nuclear negotiations with Iran, emphasizing the country's historical role as a mediator in the region. The Qatari Emir offered a special aircraft, a prototype of Air Force One, as a gift to the American President. United Arab Emirates: Technological Ambitions and Diplomatic Honors In Abu Dhabi, Trump was received by President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and attended a state dinner at Qasr al-Watan Palace, where he received the Order of Zayed, the UAE's highest civilian honor. An agreement was announced to establish the largest artificial intelligence data center outside the United States in Abu Dhabi, in partnership with the Emirati company G42. Diplomatic Initiatives and Controversies Trump proposed transforming Gaza into a « freedom zone », an initiative aimed at making it an economic and tourist hub. This proposal was criticized by many international organizations, which see it as an attempt at forced displacement of populations. Furthermore, President Donald Trump announced the lifting of American sanctions against Syria, following a meeting with the new Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa. This decision aims to encourage the country's reconstruction and foster a normalization of relations with Israel.