Economic desperation behind Trump's Gulf trip, not conflict resolution

Editor's note: Mohamed El-Bendary, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a Cairo-based writer and independent researcher writing for major international media outlets. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aimed primarily to secure business deals rather than resolve flaring regional conflicts. Accompanied by tech titans, Trump dreamt of going back home with good news for American businesses – that he has lured the three major energy producers to pour much cash into America to rescue its ailing economy.

True, Trump succeeded in getting the three Gulf states to pledge between $3-4 trillion investment in America in defense, technology, energy and artificial intelligence (AI). But it is also true that his visit this time to the trio of powerful and influential Middle East states is different from his 2017 one. This is because the American empire has begun its downfall, and it needs the Gulf states today more than they need it.

As Trump battles to restructure America's declining role and capability – to "Make America Great Again" – he views the oil-rich Gulf monarchies as crucial in reducing U.S. inflation. But the latter should no longer be viewed as merely "wealthy" nations; they are crucial players on the global scene. And despite their dependence on the U.S. for security, there is a mounting sense of resentment among them towards Washington's silence on Israeli attacks across Gaza and on Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.

Trump's call for normalizing relations with Israel in Saudi Arabia was not welcomed. Riyadh has consistently stressed that Israel must first stop its war on Gaza and endorse Palestinians' right to a statehood based on the 1967 borders.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, American foreign policy in the Middle East has been founded on three main principles: protecting Israel, securing the flow of oil, and boosting economic cooperation. Under the Trump administration that lacks a moral compass and is mainly driven by the desire to accumulate wealth, the latter has become more important.

In an increasingly multipolar world, the Gulf states are more confident today in a region in which world alliances are shifting. As the Gulf states' engagement with China and Russia flourishes, the U.S. is recalibrating its Middle East policy in an attempt to maintain its influence and economic dominance.

The Trump administration's image is also tarnished on the diplomatic level as a result of inconsistent policy decisions on contentious issues. It all began with Trump's call to name the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America" and now yearning to rename the Gulf the "Arabian Gulf," which has the potential to ignite tension between Iran and the Arab Gulf states and harm the nuclear talks with Tehran. Add to this Trump's dangerous proposal to turn Gaza into the "Riviera of the Middle East" and the tariff war it has launched.

Even though America's domestic oil and gas production has increased, Washington realizes that the Gulf states are crucial for stabilizing global energy prices. American companies also desire to increase investment in the six Gulf Cooperation Council states. In the intensifying world competition, America is being outmaneuvered in the Middle East by China in trade areas in which it had a monopoly, such as AI and chips.

Politics and economics are closely intertwined in America, a nation run by businessmen, and this influences how its foreign policy is conducted. Hence, the Gulf leaders should be vigilant that increasing trade with Trump's business companions could later carry political repercussions as Washington tries to influence their decision-making process.

Whenever a U.S. president visits an Arab state, the Western media describes such visit as historic. However, the political promises they make often disappear once they leave office. Peace agreements signed over the past three decades – such as the 1993 Oslo Accords, aimed at resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict – ended up as mere signatures on paper.

Trump's visit to the Gulf states reveals more about America's economic desperation than any genuine diplomatic vision. In a rapidly changing global order, the Gulf states must look beyond old alliances and invest in building new partnerships based on mutual respect, strategic balance and long-term sovereignty.

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