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Adulation and the absence of protests made the Gulf a dream destination for Trump.
President Trump has received the recognition and respect he has long sought at every stop of his hectic tour.
Adulation and the absence of protests made the Gulf a dream destination for Trump.
Business leaders in Saudi Arabia gave him a standing ovation when he declared that sanctions on Syria will be lifted.
He returned from Qatar with a vow to invest billions of dollars in U.S. goods and services.
He received the highest civilian distinction in the United Arab Emirates.
A week on the Arabian Peninsula yielded nothing but victories for President Trump, who has been plagued at home by criticism of his tariff policies, demonstrations against his immigration crackdown, and ethical concerns.
As he was departing a palace in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where he had just been honored, Mr. Trump remarked on Thursday, “The last four days have been really amazing.” “Probably going back to Washington, D.C., tomorrow,” he continued with a regretful expression.
“The respect shown to our country was incredible,” the president said on Air Force One on Friday, reflecting on his trip. That is not how anyone is handled. No one has ever been treated that wonderfully.
The honor and respect that Mr. Trump has long sought were accorded to him at every stage of his hectic Middle East journey. fighter jet escorts. extravagant ceremonies to welcome guests. Lavender and red carpeting. Arabian equines. dazzling chandeliers. Camels. Dancers with swords. Palaces of white marble. An image of the American flag illuminated the Burj Khalifa, the tallest structure in the world, in the United Arab Emirates. In his honor, of course.
“As someone who works in construction, I see flawless marble. At one point, Mr. Trump praised the royal court in Doha, the capital of Qatar, saying, “This is what they call perfecto.” “Those camels are appreciated. It’s been a while since I’ve seen camels like that.
In most other parts of the world, where governments, particularly those closest to the United States, are in shock over Mr. Trump’s strong tariffs and bellicose statements toward Canada, Greenland, and Panama, such a welcome would have been improbable.
However, Mr. Trump’s every action was applauded throughout the gulf.
Mr. Trump was able to declare that the United States and the three countries he visited—Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—had made more than $2 trillion in economic investments. All three countries have been longtime buyers of American military hardware.
According to Mr. Trump, the three countries might invest up to $4 trillion, which is about the same amount as all of their sovereign wealth funds put together. The leaders of the Gulf nations were more than glad to provide Mr. Trump the staggering numbers, even though a large portion of that amount consists of long-term promises that might or might not be fulfilled and includes some agreements that were already in progress.
Mr. Trump was given a tour of current agreements between American and Emirati businesses, including acquisitions of G.E. engines and Boeing aircraft, at a business gathering in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
Mr. Trump was astounded by his guests’ riches, which allows them to pay in full for whatever transactions they make.
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“‘Subject to financing’ is not what they say,” Mr. Trump stated. “They’re not having any issues.”
At every stage of the journey, Mr. Trump surrounded himself with welcoming crowds and frequently transformed his events into campaign rallies, such as a visit to Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, the biggest American military installation in the Middle East. He would blast his favorite playlists, including “Gloria,” disparage Democrats, and make false claims that he had won the 2020 election.
“U.S.A.” chants welcomed him as he addressed American troops as their commander in chief.
“Are you sure we won three elections? A fourth is what some people want us to do. I’m not sure. Mr. Trump again hinted at the possibility of an unconstitutional third term in office when he told the troops, “I’ll have to think about it.” The hat that says “Trump 2028” is the sexiest. The left is going crazy over us.
By drawing attention to transactions with private companies unrelated to Mr. Trump’s own business interests, the Gulf leaders helped Mr. Trump escape problems over his family’s commercial activities in the area. The $400 million luxury jet that Mr. Trump is requesting as a gift from Qatar was not presented, the Trump Organization’s agreement with a Saudi real estate company to construct a residential high-rise in Jeddah was not visited, and the Abu Dhabi-backed fund that is completing a $2 billion business deal using the Trump firm’s digital coins was not promoted.
When questioned by reporters on Air Force One, Mr. Trump denied being aware of the cryptocurrency deal.
He declared, “I really don’t know anything about it.” “But let me tell you, I’m a huge crypto fan.”
Republicans would have erupted in outrage and ordered congressional investigations if a Democratic president had done what Mr. Trump has done: applaud a former jihadist, welcome Qatar’s ties with Iran, and accept a $400 million airplane as a “gift.” Rather, what happened was largely an awkward silence.
Several Trump supporters, like Missouri Senator Josh Hawley and far-right activist Laura Loomer, expressed their disapproval of the plane gift but twisted their words to avoid upsetting Mr. Trump. Mr. Hawley steered clear of the suggestion of corruption by stating that he would prefer “if Air Force One were a big, beautiful jet made in the United States of America — that would be ideal.” Ms. Loomer began her attack by stating that she would “take a bullet” for the president.
Many people applauded Mr. Trump’s announcement that the US was changing its Middle East policy from one of condemnation and conflict to one of peace and prosperity.
At a meeting of Saudi monarchy and business leaders in Riyadh, Mr. Trump stated, “It’s important for the world to note that this great transformation has not come from Western interventionists or flying people in beautiful planes, giving you lectures on how to live and how to govern your own affairs.”
Both Republicans and Democrats in the US agreed with Mr. Trump’s declaration that he was lifting sanctions on Syria in an attempt to provide the war-torn nation a new beginning.
In a joint statement, Senate Foreign Relations Committee leaders Jim Risch, a Republican from Idaho, and Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire, stated, “We applaud President Trump’s decision to lift all sanctions on Syria.”
According to Andrew Leber, an assistant professor at Tulane University in Louisiana who studies the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia, the trip was meant to bring about a number of diplomatic, economic, and public relations victories for the participating nations.
Saudi Arabia has the chance to draw attention to how its economy and society are evolving and to position itself as a global leader in terms of both business and diplomacy. According to Mr. Leber, Mr. Trump had a trip that practically could not go wrong.
Mr. Leber continued, “This was the one location that is certain to give him a very enthusiastic, warm, and tightly controlled welcome.” There would be demonstrations if he traveled anywhere in Latin America. There would be protests if he traveled anywhere in Europe. There won’t be any domestic demonstrations at all, and this is a place that will talk to him and deal with him on very transactional terms while putting on a huge show.
As Gulf officials embraced Mr. Trump’s preferred expressions, that was in fact the case. Every country discussed their trade imbalances with the US and how they purchase more goods from the US than they export, which is one of the president’s favorite topics.
Playing on Mr. Trump’s campaign slogan, panelists at a business summit in Saudi Arabia discussed “making aviation great again.”
Mr. Trump entered a huge rotunda at the Friday meeting in Abu Dhabi, where five enormous displays displayed different types of investments, beginning with “Making Energy Great Again.” He received a box with an oil drop within there as a present.
The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, borrowed Mr. Trump’s energy motto, “Drill, baby, drill,” while he was in Doha.
Before addressing Mr. Trump, the emir stated, “The United States and Qatar are feeding and fueling the world.” “I’m glad to see you again.”
Gulf leaders are also relieved that Mr. Trump is the president of the United States, as he seeks lucrative partnerships while ignoring their human rights histories.
Global security analyst Jon B. Alterman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington stated that “governments and publics throughout the gulf like Trump a lot.”
“They believe that Western liberals wish to disgrace them for their domestic problems, ranging from the mistreatment of migrant workers to the rights of the LGBT community,” Mr. Alterman continued. Although there are undoubtedly more leftist voices in the Gulf, Trump is viewed by the majority as a leader who shares their values and common sense.
Speaking to the media as he concluded his trip in Abu Dhabi on Friday, Mr. Trump expressed concern that the person who succeeds him as president will be given credit for the agreements once they are completed.
He declared, “I’ll be sitting at home, and I’ll say, ‘I did that,’ and who the hell knows where I’ll be.” The credit for this will be taken by someone. “This guy did it,” he continued, pointing to himself. “You remember, press.”
