Global Attention Focused on Gulf Region’s Opportunities: Trump
Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: U.S. President Donald Trump declared a significant shift in American foreign policy on Wednesday, announcing plans to normalize relations with Syria’s new government and lift longstanding sanctions on the country. The announcement came during the US-Gulf Summit held in Riyadh, where leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) convened to discuss regional and international issues.
Speaking at the summit, President Trump said, “The whole world is looking at the opportunities available in the Gulf countries,” emphasizing the region’s growing economic and geopolitical importance.
Trump met earlier in the day with newly appointed Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, marking the first such encounter between the two nations in over a decade. The U.S. president said the meeting was arranged at the encouragement of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
“I had a very constructive discussion with President Al-Sharaa, and I believe it is time to re-engage with Syria,” Trump stated. “The United States is ready to lift sanctions that have hampered the Syrian people for years.”
President Trump also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding the Abraham Accords, which aim to normalize relations between Israel and Arab states. “We will continue adding more countries to the Abraham Accords in the near future,” he said.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed Washington’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria and reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting efforts toward resolving the crisis in Ukraine through diplomatic engagement.
Regional leaders also voiced their reactions to Trump’s announcements during the summit:
- King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain expressed appreciation for the U.S. decision on Syria, describing it as a step toward broader regional stability.
- The Emir of Kuwait emphasized Kuwait’s aspirations to build a strategic partnership with the United States while reaffirming the need to establish a Palestinian state in line with the Arab Peace Initiative.
- Omani officials voiced concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and expressed gratitude to President Trump for U.S. efforts in securing maritime safety in the Red Sea amid the Yemen conflict.
The summit, attended by high-ranking officials and heads of state from the six GCC countries — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar — marks a pivotal moment in U.S.-Gulf relations and reflects renewed efforts to address longstanding conflicts and promote stability in the Middle East.
