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Riyadh hosted on Wednesday a summit of the GCC-US Strategic Partnership. This was the first international summit Donald Trump has attended during his second term as US president and the first trip he has taken abroad since assuming office in January — if you do not count his participation at the pope’s funeral last month.

It is hard to overstate the significance of this gathering or the degree of camaraderie and genuine friendship Trump expressed toward Gulf Cooperation Council leaders. He did not hide his admiration for his hosts, especially Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, contrasting the GCC model — based on the promotion of peace, stability and prosperity — with other models that thrive on conflict and war.

He said that he was a man of peace, committed to ending conflicts and preventing wars — something GCC leaders applauded. His criticism of his Democratic predecessors was lengthy and scathing, citing their mishandling of this region with negligence and disrespect while indulging Iran and providing it with the means to continue its malign activities, according to the president.

The summit focused on rebuilding this strategic partnership after that period of neglect and estrangement. It addressed economic and security cooperation in equal measure. All seven leaders committed to the promotion of GCC-US economic integration and the removal of barriers.

The high tariffs the Trump administration imposed on GCC exports during his first term, and again earlier this year, were not mentioned specifically but were on the minds of many, especially since those one-sided tariffs were not justified as the US has not had a trade deficit with GCC states in recent years. Trade deficits were the reason cited for imposing the new tariffs.

Judging by the atmosphere at the summit, however, both sides appeared ready to take the necessary steps to increase trade in goods, which now stands at more than $120 billion, and significantly scale up investment and trade in services to several trillion dollars over the next decade.

Security discussions were paramount, considering the many regional crises on the table and the fact that the US is the GCC’s main security partner. The leaders affirmed their shared commitment to peace and regional stability, giving priority to diplomatic efforts and deescalation, while deepening their defense and intelligence cooperation.

The summit addressed economic and security cooperation in equal measure. All 7 leaders committed to the promotion of GCC-US economic integration and the removal of barriers.

Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg

Trump stressed the pivotal role of this partnership in maintaining peace in the region and said that the US stands ready to work with GCC states collectively to deter and confront all external threats to their security or to the vital international waterways of Bab Al-Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz.

Based on the deliberations during the summit, ministers and joint working groups are expected to convene urgently to agree on how to proceed collectively with efforts to confront maritime threats and the proliferation of missiles and drones, especially among non-state actors, and to improve the deterrence and defense capabilities of GCC forces, including through early-warning systems and information exchanges.

The GCC welcomed the launch of negotiations between the US and Iran, facilitated by Oman. While they shared the US commitment to ensuring the region is free of all weapons of mass destruction, they stressed the central role of diplomacy. They also affirmed the need for future talks to include the proliferation of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, and regional activities.

While GCC leaders urged an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the resumption of aid deliveries, Trump was silent on this subject, perhaps in deference to ongoing talks led by his envoy, Steve Witkoff. They also raised the issue of Palestine, and ������Ƶ’s leadership in the Global Coalition for the Implementation of the two-state Solution, and expressed support for the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, in accordance with internationally recognized parameters and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.

Although differences of views remain on some important issues, the positive atmosphere of the summit will make it easier to address those disagreements and find ways to work together, as can be seen in the joint negotiations to end the war in Gaza.

Regarding Syria, Trump informed the GCC leaders of his decision to lift the sanctions on the country and to meet with its new president, Ahmad Al-Sharaa. In the event, the two leaders met on Wednesday in Riyadh. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also expected to meet Syria’s foreign minister.

It was clear that both the US and the GCC states were pleased with the new Syrian government’s commitments to peace with its neighbors, the fight against terrorism, the disbanding of all armed groups, the adoption of an inclusive approach toward the country’s minorities, and rebuilding the nation’s economy. There was a genuine desire to give Syrians a “fresh start,” as Trump put it, and enable the nation’s new government to achieve these goals. Lifting the sanctions received the most praise.

On the issue of the war between Ukraine and Russia, the two sides appeared well aligned. Trump praised ������Ƶ for offering its good offices and mediation services and said he was personally engaged in efforts to end the conflict. GCC leaders expressed their readiness to help resolve the political impasse and address the humanitarian collateral damage of the conflict, including family reunions and the release of prisoners.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the leaders reaffirmed their shared determination to work together in equal measures on security, economic integration, and the promotion of regional stability and cooperation.

This was the fifth summit of GCC and US heads of state since May 2015, and it is expected that they will continue at the same pace: every two years. In addition, more frequent ministerial and technical meetings focus on specific subjects such as maritime security, cyber threats, air defense, arms purchases, counterterrorism and nuclear cooperation, as well as trade and investment, and political dialogue on regional issues.

• Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg is the GCC assistant secretary-general for political affairs and negotiation. The views expressed here are personal and do not necessarily represent those of the GCC. X: @abuhamad1