Upcoming Event

A Golden Age for U.S.-Gulf Relations? Assessing President Trump’s Middle East Tour

On May 19, AGSI will host a discussion on Trump's visit to the Gulf.

Date

May 19, 2025

Time

10:00am - 11:00am

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, President Donald J. Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa attend a group photo session with Gulf Cooperation Council leaders in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 14. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

About the event

In a major speech in Riyadh, President Donald J. Trump declared: “We’ve launched the Golden Age of America, the Golden Age of the Middle East can proceed right alongside of us.” Trump’s Middle East tour, which took him to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, included exquisite pageantry and announcements of major deals and investments. Trump also highlighted the region’s transformation and sought to solidify geopolitical and economic ties with Gulf partners.

Does Trump’s visit signal a new chapter in U.S.-Gulf relations? Are the United States and Gulf partners now more aligned on geopolitical issues, such as Iran, Syria, and Lebanon? How was the visit perceived in the region and specifically each of the three countries that received the president? And did it deliver on the deals and investments promised in the lead-up to it?

The views represented herein are the author's or speaker's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of AGSI, its staff, or its board of directors.