Trump’s Middle East Return: Business, Diplomacy, and Controversy
Former President Donald Trump’s return to the Middle East from May 13 to 16 is generating significant buzz, raising questions about the intertwining of business interests and diplomatic objectives. The three-day trip includes stops in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and Doha, Qatar – all locations where the Trump family has substantial business ventures.
This visit marks Trump’s first return to the region since his initial trip in 2017, when he participated in a ceremonial sword dance and pledged a partnership with wealthy Persian Gulf rulers based on shared interests and values. Now, eight years later, the stated purpose of his trip, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, is for "commerce and cultural exchanges."
However, the timing and destinations are raising eyebrows. Frank Lowenstein, a former Middle East envoy in the Obama administration, suggests Trump seeks to make "big announcements" that benefit the American public while aligning with his agenda of ending foreign wars and bringing hostages home.
One tangible outcome coinciding with Trump’s departure was the release of U.S.-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander by Hamas. Hamas attributed the release to efforts to reach a new ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Israel, which began on October 7, 2023. This development adds a layer of complexity to Trump’s visit, potentially positioning him as a facilitator in ongoing peace negotiations.
Trump’s previous engagement in the region saw him broker the Abraham Accords, landmark deals that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states, including the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco. While these accords aimed to promote peace through economic incentives, they largely overlooked Palestinian aspirations for a future state, a factor that has prevented Saudi Arabia from joining the agreement.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, has maintained that normalization with Israel is contingent upon a halt to its military campaign in Gaza. Despite this stance, Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, expressed optimism about expanding the Abraham Accords, suggesting potential announcements in the near future that could yield progress by next year.
Nevertheless, experts like Khaled Elgindy of Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies caution against blurring the lines between business and politics during Trump’s visit. Elgindy argues that Trump’s personal and geopolitical interests are intertwined, raising concerns that his activities may serve both U.S. interests and his own financial gains.
The Trump Organization, now run by Trump’s sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr., has been actively involved in real estate and cryptocurrency ventures in the region. In recent weeks, they visited the UAE and Qatar to oversee deals, including a new luxury hotel in Dubai in partnership with Dar Global, a Saudi Arabian real-estate developer with close ties to the kingdom’s royal family. The Trump Organization is also collaborating with Dar Global to construct a high-end residential tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Furthermore, the Trump family firm has struck a deal to build an 18-hole golf course and resort in Qatar, featuring Trump-branded beachside villas. This project is a partnership with Qatari Diar, a firm owned by the Qatari government. In Abu Dhabi, a government-backed investment firm recently invested $2 billion in a crypto business deal that could significantly benefit the Trump family’s crypto venture, World Liberty Financial.
Adding to the controversy, Trump has defended the possibility of accepting a Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet as a gift from the royal family of Qatar for use as Air Force One. These dealings have raised ethical questions about potential conflicts of interest and whether Trump is leveraging his position for personal enrichment.
Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, suggests it is not a coincidence that Trump chose to visit countries where he has business interests. While acknowledging that these countries are important regional players regardless of Trump’s involvement, Parsi points out that Trump recently built a golf course in Oman, a country he is not visiting despite its hosting of nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran.
When questioned about potential conflicts of interest, White House Press Secretary Leavitt dismissed the concerns as "ridiculous," asserting that Trump left a life of luxury for public service. Greg Swenson, an investment banker who chairs the United Kingdom-based chapter of Republicans Overseas, advises Trump to avoid blurring personal business and diplomacy, cautioning against crossing the line of influence-peddling.
Amidst the broader geopolitical and business considerations, there are also individual cases intertwined with Trump’s visit. Saad Ibrahim Almadi, a 75-year-old dual U.S.-Saudi citizen, was arrested in Riyadh in November 2021 for social media posts critical of the Saudi government. Almadi’s son, Ibrahim, is appealing to Trump for help in securing his father’s release and safe return home, fearing that his father may face further imprisonment. Almadi’s case highlights the human rights concerns that persist in the region and the potential for Trump’s visit to address such issues.
Trump’s return to the Middle East presents a complex interplay of diplomacy, business interests, and human rights concerns. Whether he can successfully navigate these challenges and achieve his stated objectives remains to be seen. The trip will undoubtedly be closely scrutinized for its impact on regional stability, U.S. foreign policy, and the Trump family’s business empire.
