Trump Returns From Middle East Trip With Investments, But No Peace Deals
- The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Right-Leaning
Why: The article emphasizes Trump’s business successes and critiques Biden, while framing Trump’s foreign efforts in a largely favorable light, despite acknowledging the lack of diplomatic breakthroughs.
Economic Wins, Diplomatic Setbacks
Former President Donald Trump has returned to Washington after a week-long tour of the Middle East, marked by multi-billion-dollar investment agreements but no significant progress on ongoing global conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
Trump’s visit included high-level meetings, economic showcases, and symbolic engagements in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. Despite his efforts to present himself as a peace negotiator, the trip did not yield the breakthroughs he had previously promised.
Major Investments Secured
Throughout the tour, Trump focused heavily on economic cooperation:
In Saudi Arabia, Trump secured a $600 billion investment pledge in American industries.
Qatar Airways is committed to purchasing hundreds of aircraft from Boeing and GE Aerospace.
Trump highlighted these developments as part of a broader campaign to boost U.S. business interests abroad.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accompanied Trump, joining him in meetings with business leaders and local officials. At an event in Abu Dhabi, a large screen repurposed Trump’s old campaign slogan, reading: “Making Energy Great Again.”
Controversial Gift From Qatar
A major controversy during the trip involved Qatar’s offer of a $400 million luxury plane, which Trump has said he would like to use as Air Force One. The proposal drew criticism from both Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. over concerns of security, ethics, and propriety.
Trump dismissed the criticism, calling it a “great gesture” and downplaying concerns about conflicts of interest related to his company’s business expansion in the region.
Peace Talks Fall Short
Despite the trip’s economic focus, Trump reiterated his commitment to ending the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
Trump announced the release of Edan Alexander, an American hostage held by Hamas, facilitated by Qatari mediation.
Yet, no formal peace deals were reached, and Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed more than 100 people in Gaza during the same 24-hour period that Trump departed.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump stated, “We’re looking at Gaza... and we’re going to get that taken care of. A lot of people are starving.” Regarding Ukraine, Trump said he expects to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing hope for a future solution but offering no timeline or new proposal.
Attempt at Iran Nuclear Talks
Trump said his administration submitted a proposal to Iran for a long-term nuclear peace deal, adding that negotiations were ongoing and serious. He previously suggested a deal was close, stating, “we’re not going to be making any nuclear dust in Iran.”
However, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later denied receiving any formal proposal and rejected the idea of giving up Iran’s right to enrich uranium under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. He reaffirmed that lifting U.S. sanctions remained a precondition.
Syrian Sanctions and Netanyahu Absence
Trump also stated his intent to recognize the new Syrian government and lift what he called “brutal” U.S. sanctions on the country. He did not meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the trip, explaining that strong relations with Arab leaders benefit Israel. He claimed to have discussed the Syria decision with Netanyahu remotely.
Strategic Goals and Historical Parallels
Analysts have drawn comparisons between this trip and Trump’s 2017 Middle East tour. That visit ultimately led to the Abraham Accords, normalizing ties between Israel and several Arab states.
According to Brian Katulis of the Middle East Institute, Trump is now aiming for a historic breakthrough with Iran and possibly expanding the Abraham Accords to include Saudi-Israeli normalization, which could form the basis for a Nobel Peace Prize bid.
Katulis cautioned that Trump’s ambitions may face significant obstacles: “Unexpected surprises and events have a way of knocking U.S. administrations off balance,” especially given the ongoing war in Gaza and humanitarian crisis among Palestinians.
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