The Middle East: A Playground for Trump's Deals and Diplomacy
Trump Revisits Realm of Business Arrangements
In a whirlwind tour of the Middle East, US President Donald Trump is on a mission - striking deals as only he knows how. With stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, Trump's trip reveals a unique blend of business and politics, following a tradition deeply rooted in Trump's history with these Gulf nations.
Dealmaking: The Trump StyleThe president's approach to foreign policy is simple and straightforward - it's all about giving and taking. Where diplomacy once relied on democratic values and principles, Trump opts for a transactional approach: what's in it for America? Case in point: his provocative proposal to develop the Gaza Strip as a luxury real estate haven, the "Riviera of the Middle East."
During his inaugural visit to Riyadh in 2017, Trump made a pact that opened the floodgates for massive Saudi investments in the US. As he embarks on his second term, he has openly welcomed the prospect of one trillion dollars in US investment, hinting that Saudi Arabia might be the first to welcome him after taking office.
A Long History of Deals in the Gulf
Trump's family has maintained close ties with the Gulf states for decades. The Trump Organization, led by Trump's sons, Don Jr. and Eric, has captured numerous business opportunities in the region since Trump's return to the White House. For instance, Eric Trump recently secured a deal to construct a $5.5 billion golf club in Qatar. In Dubai, plans for an 80-floor Trump International Hotel & Tower are underway in partnership with a Saudi-funded investment firm.
Earlier restrictions on overseas business seem to have loosened during Trump's second term, as the Trump family continues to leverage their political connections to attract investors and promote projects in these nations. These business ventures, however, raise questions of potential conflicts of interest given the intersecting nature of Trump's diplomatic endeavors and family business dealings.
A Favorable Eye on Saudi Arabia
The White House's strategy for the Middle East revolves around deepening economic and security ties with Gulf monarchies, with Saudi Arabia remaining an important partner. Despite a cooling of relations during the Biden administration, Trump is expected to propose major economic deals during his visit, including investments in weapons, technology, AI, and markets.
The Saudi leadership, on the other hand, is eager to win Washington's favor as the US plays a crucial role in their defense and weapons procurement. Yet critics point out that Trump's foreign policy decisions are often influenced by the economic interests of his family businesses, making a supposedly clean separation between governance and private profit difficult to discern.
A Complicated Legacy
Trump's renewed appeal to the Saudi royal family carries a message to other authoritarian states: if a nation holds significant economic clout, Trump's administration may turn a blind eye to its questionable actions. This message was driven home when Trump stood by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman despite mounting international criticism following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The intersection of politics and business further complicates this picture, as Trump's every move raises doubts about ethical implications and potential conflicts of interest. As Trump's trip unfolds, he leaves a long and complex legacy of deals and diplomacy that is likely to linger long after his presidency.
- Donald Trump
- Saudi Arabia
- USA
- Middle East
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates
- Trump Organization
- Golf projects
- Real estate ventures
- Foreign policy
- Conflicts of interest
- Ethical implications
[1] Foreign affairs magazine[2] Rolling Stone[3] The Guardian[4] The Washington Post[5] New York Times[6] The Economist
- The European Union, despite not being directly involved in the Middle East tour, might express concern regarding the potential conflicts of interest arising from Donald Trump's business dealings in the region, particularly in light of the Paris Agreement's emphasis on environmentally sustainable development.
- The finance and business sectors, given their role in supporting infrastructure projects, could find themselves caught in the web of ongoing controversies surrounding the Trump presidency and the impending deals in the Middle East, which have raised questions about ethical implications and potential conflicts of interest.
- In the realm of general-news discourse, analysis of Donald Trump's foreign policy could extend beyond individual deal-making and diplomatic trips, to probe the broader implications of his approach on the global stage, including its impact on international trade agreements, such as the Paris Agreement.
