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US President Donald Trump’s decision to make ������Ƶ his first foreign stop could transform the region and benefit the US. Coming early in his administration, the visit is likely to produce significant results. He could use Riyadh as the launch pad of a new Middle East policy, which takes in consideration regional inputs. Trump and GCC leaders could set the region on a new path toward peace and prosperity, instead of war and hatred.
Trade, investment, mutual security commitments, and ending regional conflicts are expected to be high on the agenda.
The US and GCC states are important players in the global economy. They benefit when it is healthy and suffer when there is a recession or slowdown. The International Monetary Fund has recently revised down its forecast for global growth, and J.P. Morgan has put the probability of a recession at 60 percent. The summit could begin the road toward reversing this trend.
The recent decline in the value of the US dollar versus other currencies has affected GCC states, because their chief exports are denominated in dollars and their currencies are pegged to the dollar. They have also been affected by the recent rise in US tariffs of 10 percent on their exports, but even more by the higher tariffs on aluminum and steel imposed in 2018 during the first Trump term and in place since then.
To address these imbalances, a new trade deal is needed, with reciprocal tariff reductions and aggressive investment promotion. As the US appears skeptical about the world trading system, emphasis in Riyadh should be placed on mutually granting “most favored nation” status to each other, and exploring the possibility of extending national treatment to each other in investment and services. The result would be dramatic not only on the two-way GCC-US trade and investment growth, but it could send a positive message to reverse global negative trends.
On security, the two sides are expected to renew a commitment to mutual security, and peace and stability of the region, but the tense global and regional circumstances call for more. They have already put together a strategic partnership framework, which was enthusiastically endorsed during Trump’s first summit in Riyadh in 2017, but that has since atrophied. It needs to be reenergized by convening, on an urgent basis, the more than 10 joint working groups on issues such as regional security, maritime security, air defense, and counter-terrorism. The recently concluded meetings and site visits by US and GCC nuclear experts is a good start for cooperation in this field, which should be encouraged.
Trump has said that he aspires to end wars and make peace. Riyadh will be the right place to launch that crusade this week. Starting with Gaza, ceasefire and delivery of urgently needed aid should be part of that effort, especially as it appears that there is a deliberate policy to starve civilians and deprive them of the basic means of survival such as healthcare. Trump can reverse this tragedy and restore America’s standing in the region.
A determined move toward implementing the two-state solution would help de-escalate the conflict, frustrate the efforts of extremists to prolong the violence, and allow progress toward peace and regional prosperity. The new appointment of a vice president for the Palestinian Authority, a key demand from the international community, should be utilized to reunify Gaza with the West Bank, sidelining Hamas in the process, another key requirement for long-term peace. Egypt has proposed an interim plan to manage Gaza during the transition period by choosing an independent, nonpartisan committee to run the strip. This plan has been endorsed by most countries. ������Ƶ’s foreign minister heads the multilateral committee responsible for mobilizing support for this plan. 

The US and GCC states are important players in the global economy.

Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg

Elsewhere in the region, there are signs that the administration is working toward de-escalation, despite Israel’s protestations. It has completed several rounds of nuclear negotiations with Iran, facilitated by Oman. This could be the start of a new Iran policy to address other US and GCC concerns, including Iran’s missile and UAV programs, and support for armed groups in the region. GCC states have developed a diplomatic track with Iran to deal with some of these concerns. Closer GCC-US coordination would help on all these tracks and could lead to a more peaceful region. Trump could take credit for that when it happens.
There are also signs that the Trump administration is taking a more measured approach toward Yemen, by announcing a ceasefire last week, also brokered by Oman. When Israeli officials protested, Trump’s newly appointed ambassador Mike Huckabee said bluntly: “The US isn’t required to get permission” from Israel to cut a deal with Houthis. Huckabee, a staunch supporter of Israel, nevertheless shocked Israeli TV audiences by adding that the US will respond to Houthi attacks only if American citizens are hurt.
What is needed in Yemen now is for the UN to resume peace talks, which have hibernated during air strikes. While stopping attacks on shipping is an important goal, it will be sustainable only if it is part of a long-term political solution.
In Syria, the Trump administration has made overtures to the new government and given it a list of conditions to which Damascus has responded positively. ������Ƶ is leading efforts to enable the government to provide for its citizens, unify the country, and play a positive role in the region. The US was clearly opposed to Assad and should now be glad that he has been replaced. Iran’s presence in Syria is no more, another issue of concern to the US. The new government appears determined to fight terrorism and prevent a resurgence of Daesh or the return of Iran-affiliated armed groups. The new government can be a positive force in the region and a friend of the US. American sanctions have made it difficult to restore aid and investment in Syria and Trump has the authority to end or suspend most of them. An announcement in Riyadh on that issue would go a long way.
On Ukraine, the US and ������Ƶ appear to be aligned and the administration has clearly appreciated ������Ƶ’s efforts since the start of the Ukraine war to reach a ceasefire and initiate peace talks and has recently hosted meetings involving Americans, Russians, and Ukrainians for that purpose. It is regrettable that those discussions have stopped. An announcement to resume mediation would be welcomed.
Trump came to office with the promise of ending wars and extricating the US from foreign entanglements. The US could achieve both goals by working with like-minded regional actors. Partnership with ������Ƶ and the GCC should be central to America’s new Middle East policy, as they share the goals of regional peace and shared prosperity.
In his first term, Trump enjoyed a close relationship with GCC countries. The Riyadh gathering will be a good place to celebrate the fact that they remain reliable and significant partners, politically, economically, and strategically. US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has recently said that this region has the potential to be “much bigger than Europe” in its importance to the US. This could happen when the two sides are able to leverage their close ties to scale up their trade and investment ties significantly and address regional crises effectively. The infrastructure is already in place, in the shape of GCC-US Strategic Partnership and its bilateral counterparts between the US and individual countries.

• Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg is the GCC’s assistant secretary-general for political affairs and negotiation. The views expressed here are personal and do not necessarily represent those of the GCC.
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