Trump’s Relationship with the Gulf States Ahead of the Election

Approximately two weeks prior to the American presidential election, Donald J. Trump participated in an interview with a popular Arabic-language television channel owned by Saudi Arabia. During this interview, he lauded the kingdom’s crown prince, referring to him as a “visionary” and a “friend.” In stark contrast, his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, did not engage with any Arabic-language international media throughout her brief campaign.

This disparity did not go unnoticed by observers in the resource-rich Gulf states, where there was a palpable sense of comfort regarding the prospect of another Trump presidency in the weeks leading up to the election on Tuesday. “Obviously, we worked with President Trump before, so we know him and we can find a way to work with him very well,” remarked the Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, in an interview with CNN during the kingdom’s annual investment forum, often referred to as “Davos in the Desert.”

During his previous term in office, Mr. Trump cultivated strong personal relationships with Gulf leaders and provided robust defense support for their nations while largely refraining from criticizing their human rights practices. This time, the Gulf states are likely to seek collaboration with a potential new Trump administration to assist in resolving the ongoing devastating conflicts in the Middle East. They will also look for firm security guarantees and American investment, as they endeavor to diversify their economies away from near-total dependence on energy resources.

Mr. Trump’s interview with the Saudi-owned channel Al Arabiya on October 20 highlighted the enduring connections he has developed with Gulf leaders over the years. This relationship is poised to play a significant role in shaping future U.S.-Gulf relations, especially as both sides navigate the complexities of regional and global politics.