Live updates: Follow the latest on Trump's Gulf trip
President Donald Trump's trip to the Gulf next week highlights how the US and the region are standing on the brink of a “golden age”, the White House said on Friday.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Mr Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar - which begins on Monday - will focus on strengthening ties and will build on foundations laid during his previous administration.
“Now, eight years later, President Trump will return to re-emphasise his continued vision for a proud, prosperous and successful Middle East, where the United States and Middle Eastern nations are in co-operative relationships, and where extremism is defeated in place of commerce and cultural exchanges,” Ms Leavitt told journalists.
She added that the new “golden age” will see the US and the Middle East “united by a shared vision of stability, opportunity and mutual respect”.
Mr Trump's trip, scheduled for May 11 to 16, is expected to allow him to present a friendly face to regional allies, in contrast to the more antagonistic approach the President has taken towards the EU, Ukraine and others, say observers.
“It seems that the Trump administration sees America's partners in the Gulf as the kind of trusted interlocutors, not treaty allies in Europe or other partners,” Steven Cook senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank, said on Friday.
“And it's a different look for American foreign policy, to go to these Gulf states as mediators on issues both within the region and beyond.”
Though Mr Trump's visit is expected to focus on securing economic deals, after he announced a series of tariffs on countries around the world, including in the Middle East. Days after he unveiled the levies, he announced a 90-day pause to allow for trade negotiations.
The trip to the Gulf comes amid several global crises, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the conflict in Gaza, upheaval in Syria, US tension with Iran and fighting between India and Pakistan.
Gulf countries have been playing increasingly important roles on global issues: Saudi Arabia has played a significant role in mediating the war in Ukraine and the UAE has been instrumental in bringing home Americans detained in Russia.
Qatar has acted as mediator in trying to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza, while Oman has acted as intermediary between the US and Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme The Trump administration's recent agreement with the Houthis over their shipping attacks in the Red Sea, were also hosted in Oman.
On Tuesday, Mr Trump said he would make a “very, very big” announcement before his trip, without specifying the subject.
He said the announcement would be “as big as it gets” and “very positive”.
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
Jiu-jitsu calendar of events for 2017-2018:
August 5:
Round-1 of the President’s Cup in Al Ain.
August 11-13:
Asian Championship in Vietnam.
September 8-9:
Ajman International.
September 16-17
Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Ashgabat.
September 22-24:
IJJF Balkan Junior Open, Montenegro.
September 23-24:
Grand Slam Los Angeles.
September 29:
Round-1 Mother of The Nation Cup.
October 13-14:
Al Ain U18 International.
September 20-21:
Al Ain International.
November 3:
Round-2 Mother of The National Cup.
November 4:
Round-2 President’s Cup.
November 10-12:
Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro.
November 24-26:
World Championship, Columbia.
November 30:
World Beach Championship, Columbia.
December 8-9:
Dubai International.
December 23:
Round-3 President’s Cup, Sharjah.
January 12-13:
Grand Slam Abu Dhabi.
January 26-27:
Fujairah International.
February 3:
Round-4 President’s Cup, Al Dhafra.
February 16-17:
Ras Al Khaimah International.
February 23-24:
The Challenge Championship.
March 10-11:
Grand Slam London.
March 16:
Final Round – Mother of The Nation.
March 17:
Final Round – President’s Cup.
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
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Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
