President Donald Trump has hosted Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani for a private dinner and met with Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa at the White House. These meetings are part of the United States’ efforts to address regional issues, including securing a Gaza ceasefire, and promote diplomatic ties with the Gulf Leaders and region. Despite the ongoing conflicts in the region, Trump focused on promoting diplomatic ties as a vehicle for economic growth.
During his meeting with Al Khalifa, Trump highlighted the mutual benefits of their cooperative efforts, stating, “Anything they needed, we helped them. And anything we needed, they helped us.” Bahrain, a longtime ally that hosts the US Fifth Fleet, has committed to investing $17 billion in the US. Al Khalifa emphasized the lucrative potential of diplomatic ties with the US, saying, “And this is real. It’s real money. These aren’t fake deals.” The agreements include purchasing US aircraft, jet engines, and computer servers, with potential investments in aluminum production and artificial intelligence.
The Gulf region holds significant importance for Trump, who has cultivated ties with Gulf leaders during his first foreign policy trip of his second term, visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Aaron David Miller, a former adviser on Middle East issues, noted that “the Gulf represents everything that Trump believes is right about the Middle East. It’s rich, it’s stable, it’s populated by authoritarians with whom the president feels very comfortable.”
An important aspect of the US-Bahrain relationship is the agreement to advance cooperation on civilian nuclear energy, signed during the meeting. Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa is expected to visit Washington before the end of the year, which may facilitate further discussions on strengthening bilateral relations.
Trump has expressed interest in using a luxurious Boeing 747 donated by Qatar as his Air Force One, citing delays in Boeing’s delivery schedule. However, this proposal has raised concerns about the ethics and security implications of accepting gifts from foreign governments.