United States and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations establish a brand-new economic alliance

Title: US President Donald Trump's Historic Middle East Tour: A Fruitful Excursion for Economic Growth and Strategic Partnerships

In a whirlwind four-day visit, President Donald Trump concluded his Middle East tour in the United Arab Emirates, following stops in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. This marks the first overseas trip by the sitting president since taking office for a second term, excluding his visit to the Vatican for Pope Francis' funeral.

The trip, primarily focused on forging trade deals and investments, strays from the traditional political itinerary. However, when politics did feature, the president's characteristic off-the-cuff remarks centered on topics like Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine, with a surprising announcement on the removal of sanctions against Syria.

Trade deals and investments dominated the president's talks in these nations. The U.S. is poised to receive trillions of dollars in investments and business deals, fostering development, manufacturing, and job creation in the American economy.

Outlining the economic aspect of Trump's Middle East tour, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE signed mega deals on hundreds of Boeing aircraft, engines, and spare parts, alongside multi-billion dollar purchases in US defense armaments. Plans for trillions of dollars in investments in the US economy were also announced during the presidential visit.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states will weigh the success of the trip based on tangible and intangible benefits, such as the US commitment to strategic partnership and defense of the region, the lifting of restrictions on advanced semiconductor chip sales, and the lifting of sanctions against Syria.

These strategic decisions are seen as a means for the region to gain an influential voice in the White House in matters related to the Middle East. On a more impalpable level, the GCC states consider their trillion-dollar investments and purchases from the US as economically prudent decisions and a politically strategic move.

Before departing Riyadh en route to Qatar, President Trump attended the Gulf-US Summit on May 14, 2025, where he met with the leaders of the GCC states. The summit emphasized reviewing regional and international developments, coordinating joint efforts to enhance security and stability, promoting sustainable development, and strengthening strategic partnership between the GCC and the US.

His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, in his address to the summit, highlighted the importance of economic collaboration in the strategic partnership between the GCC and the United States. He also expressed aspirations to expand bilateral projects and deepen economic ties with Washington.

Political analysts see the mega deals and investments signed with GCC states as a means for the region to gain an influential voice in the White House in matters related to the Middle East.

US-Gulf relations, grounded in a history of friendship, cooperation, shared values, and institutional connections, continue to evolve with shared strategic interests based on reciprocity and adaptability. As the geopolitical landscape shifts, this robust and friendly partnership between the GCC and the U.S. serves as a powerful testament to stability, global peace, and economic sustainability.

*Tareq Yusef AlShumaimry (Chairman of the Finance Committee and Chairman of the General Budget Committee of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague (PCA) and an observer in the Administrative Council of the Court and the Consular at International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in the Netherlands during this period from 2013 to 2020. Email: [email protected])

Enrichment Data:

Between 2023 and 2025, the US signed significant trade deals and investments in the Gulf region, transforming its relations with countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Israel. Key trade deals and investments include:

Saudi Arabia:
Energy Sector: $15 billion in agreements for LNG technology, clean energy projects, carbon capture, and hydrogen fuel development projects.
Defense and Technology: $10 billion in deals for advanced missile defense systems and cybersecurity solutions from major U.S. defense firms.
Agricultural Exports: $1.2 billion in increased agricultural exports, primarily wheat and poultry, over the next five years.
United Arab Emirates (UAE):
Infrastructure: $8 billion in investments for smart city projects, focusing on partnerships in AI-driven urban planning and 5G telecommunications infrastructure.
Renewable Energy: $5 billion in deals focusing on solar and wind power projects involving American engineers and technology providers.
Trade Expansion: Tariffs on American consumer goods were reduced, paving the way for a trade increase estimated at $3 billion annually.
Israel:
Technology and Innovation: $4 billion in investments for joint R&D centers, startup incubators, and cybersecurity and AI projects.
Defense Procurement: $6 billion in new contracts, including sales of drones, missile defense systems, and fighter jets from U.S. defense contractors to Israel.
Agricultural Technology Exchange: $500 million worth of collaborative projects on water-saving irrigation technologies.
Qatar:
Energy Collaboration: $7 billion in agreements focusing on LNG development and distribution.
Financial Services: A $2 billion investment to develop fintech and blockchain initiatives jointly with Qatari banks.
Cultural and Educational Exchange Fund: A $300 million fund set up to enhance people-to-people ties and workforce training.
Egypt:
Infrastructure Development: $5 billion in investments for transportation infrastructure projects.
Energy Projects: $3 billion in deals to support Egypt’s transition to natural gas and renewables.
Trade Facilitation: Egypt agreed to streamline customs procedures for American exports, facilitating $2 billion more in trade annually.

For those interested in personal-finance and career-development, Tareq Yusef AlShumaimry, a prominent figure in finance, can be reached at [email protected].
The Gulf region, in recent years, has been a focus of investing and business, especially with the US, as evidenced by the trillion-dollar economic deals signed between 2023 and 2025.
In the field of education-and-self-development, the United Arab Emirates has made significant investments in smart city projects and AI-driven urban planning.
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United States and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations establish a brand-new economic alliance