Trump’s Meeting with King Abdullah II: A Power Play or a Display of Appreciation?
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump received Jordan’s King Abdullah II, making him the first Arab head of state to visit the White House since Trump took office. While this might appear to be a gesture of appreciation, given Jordan’s support in fending off Iranian missile attacks on Israel last year, the meeting was anything but a show of respect. Instead, it was a brazen display of Trump’s power over a country heavily dependent on US aid.
In a statement released hours after the meeting, King Abdullah II tactfully described the talks as "constructive," while attempting to portray a sense of diplomatic equality. However, he firmly rejected Trump’s radical proposal to ethnically cleanse the Gaza Strip and forcibly relocate its approximately two million Palestinian residents. The statement declared, "Rebuilding Gaza without displacing its people and addressing the catastrophic humanitarian situation must be the priority for all," emphasizing that this position was shared by the entire Arab world.
King Abdullah II’s public rebuke of Trump’s plan, which has been widely condemned as a violation of international law and human rights, highlights the widening diplomatic rift between the US and its Arab allies under Trump’s leadership. The President’s foreign policy approach, characterized by unilateralism, isolationism, and transactional diplomacy, has undermined decades of carefully cultivated relationships.
While Trump has touted his close ties with Saudi Arabia, his relationship with Jordan has been strained by his unwavering support for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is accused of ordering the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Furthermore, Trump’s unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, his cuts to Palestinian aid, and his relocation of the US embassy to Jerusalem have alienated Jordan, which has long played a key role in regional peace efforts.
The meeting between Trump and King Abdullah II also served as a reminder of the profound influence that US financial assistance holds over Jordan. The country is heavily reliant on American aid, receiving over $1 billion annually. This dependency gives the US significant leverage and allows it to exert its influence on Jordanian policy.
Despite the challenging diplomatic terrain, King Abdullah II has skillfully navigated his relationship with the Trump administration. By publicly rejecting Trump’s Gaza plan while maintaining a semblance of cordiality, he has sought to preserve Jordan’s economic lifeline while safeguarding its political integrity.
The meeting between Trump and King Abdullah II marked a significant moment in US-Jordanian relations. While it appeared on the surface to be a sign of appreciation, it was, in reality, a power play by the US over a country heavily dependent on its financial support. King Abdullah II’s bold rejection of Trump’s Gaza plan underlined the challenges facing US diplomacy under Trump’s leadership.
