On his first major foreign trip of his second term, President Donald Trump laid out a foreign policy approach focused on pragmatism and strategic self-interest rather than traditional American values. During visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, Trump positioned relationships with Gulf monarchies as a model of success, emphasizing economic partnerships and security cooperation over promoting democracy or human rights.
Trump’s admiration for Gulf opulence was evident throughout his trip, as he praised the luxury of royal palaces and Gulf skylines while omitting any criticism of human rights abuses. He distanced himself from previous U.S. administrations that publicly pressed autocratic allies to reform. Rights advocates noted the lack of accountability, with Trump signaling a hands-off approach that many viewed as tacit support for absolute monarchies.
Peace Eludes Trump, Sanctions Ease in Syria, Boasts Overshadow Economic Reality Abroad
Despite Trump’s efforts to assert American leadership, major global conflicts continued to resist resolution. Russian President Vladimir Putin skipped proposed peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, undermining Trump’s push for progress on the Ukraine war. Trump, frustrated, claimed peace wouldn’t be possible without his direct involvement, reinforcing the notion that global diplomacy remained beyond his immediate control.
In a striking policy shift, Trump moved to ease sanctions on Syria and recognize its new interim leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaida-linked insurgent. This reversal came after regional leaders, including Turkey’s Erdogan and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, encouraged Trump to back al-Sharaa. Trump expressed personal admiration for the new leader, betting on his potential to bring stability despite recent violence against ethnic minorities in Syria.
Throughout the trip, Trump made inflated claims about the financial benefits of his foreign engagements. He boasted of raising $4 trillion in investments—an amount exceeding the combined GDPs of the Gulf states. While some deals, like Qatar’s $96 billion Boeing purchase, were substantial, experts noted that Trump’s claims far outpaced economic reality. He also criticized his predecessor’s economic record in exaggerated terms.
Conflicts Unresolved, Ethics Questions Loom, and Transactional Diplomacy Takes Center Stage Abroad
While the visit aimed to strengthen alliances, Trump made little progress on the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. He referenced the conflicts mostly to assert they wouldn’t have happened under his leadership. His proposal of a “freedom zone” in Gaza was widely rejected in the Arab world and did little to address the escalating violence, which intensified during his stay in the region.
Ethics concerns trailed Trump as his family’s business ties to the Middle East faced scrutiny. From accepting a luxury jet from Qatar to the Trump Organization’s growing real estate deals in the region, critics raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest. Trump deflected questions about a UAE-backed cryptocurrency deal tied to his family, while aides dismissed ethical worries as unfounded.
Trump’s trip underscored his preference for transactional diplomacy over ideology. By prioritizing arms sales, investments, and direct cooperation with authoritarian regimes, Trump signaled a clear break from traditional U.S. foreign policy norms. His embrace of Gulf monarchies, dismissal of human rights concerns, and personal economic entanglements suggested a future where strategic deals outweighed democratic values in shaping U.S. alliances.