Latest news with #US-Saudi
New York Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Rubio announces US will bar foreign censors from getting visas
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that the US will no longer allow foreign government officials 'who are complicit in censoring Americans' from obtaining visas. 'It is unacceptable for foreign officials to issue or threaten arrest warrants on U.S. citizens or U.S. residents for social media posts on American platforms while physically present on U.S. soil,' Rubio said in a statement. 'It is similarly unacceptable for foreign officials to demand that American tech platforms adopt global content moderation policies or engage in censorship activity that reaches beyond their authority and into the United States,' he added. 'We will not tolerate encroachments upon American sovereignty, especially when such encroachments undermine the exercise of our fundamental right to free speech.' It was not immediately clear which foreign officials would come under threat of having visas revoked. 4 Rubio's announcement comes one day after a leaked State Department cable ordered US embassies and consulates to halt student visa applications for all foreigners. AP Rubio's announcement comes one day after the State Department ordered US embassies and consulates to halt processing of student visa applications from foreigners, with a revised procedure reportedly set to consider social media postings and other information. At least 4,000 student visas have already been yanked away from international students with criminal histories, a senior State Department official told The Post last month, in addition to high-profile cases involving anti-Israel protesters on college campuses being rushed into removal proceedings. During President Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this month, the family of a 75-year-old American detained in the Gulf nation over critical tweets of the Riyadh government petitioned the US to secure his release. Saad Almadi, a US-Saudi dual citizen, was initially sentenced to 19 years in prison for tweeting criticisms of the Saudi government from his home in Florida, has since been released — but is banned from leaving the country to return to America. 4 Anti-Israel protesters on college campuses have been among the thousands of foreign students rushed into removal proceedings. James Keivom 'He tried to go to Dubai two months ago [in March] and they said, 'You are banned from traveling, contact the Ministry of Interior.' And when he contacted the Ministry of Interior, they told him, 'Saad, you are still facing a trial and you are still under travel ban for 19 years,'' his son, Ibrahim Almadi, told The Post. 'Basically in court they said the charges are dropped and now they are refusing to let him travel. They said, 'No, the charges are still there, they aren't dropped.' It's just a miserable court system.' Trump's media empire and Rumble have also challenged a Brazilian Supreme Court ruling that they claimed earlier this year would 'censor legitimate political discourse in the United States.' The State Department and White House have also been closely watching a UK court case involving a Tory councillor's wife sentenced in October to 31 months in prison over a social media post judged racially hateful, The Telegraph reported. 4 REUTERS Lucy Connolly, who is married to Northampton councillor Ray Connolly, called for 'mass deportation' after an Al Qaeda -supporting teen stabbed three young girls to death and wounded 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport last summer. The 'sadistic' slaying, prosecutors said, was carried out by Axel Rudakubana — and sparked a week of riots due to internet rumors that the UK teen was a Rwandan migrant. Rudakubana, who was born and raised in Wales by Rwandan parents, was sentenced in January to 13 counts of life in prison and ordered to serve a minimum of 52 years. Connolly later deleted her post calling for deportations and setting 'fire' to hotels. A judge rejected an appeal for her to receive a commuted sentence. 4 Trump's media empire and Rumble have also challenged a Brazilian Supreme Court ruling that they claimed earlier this year would 'censor legitimate political discourse in the United States.' Brazilian Supreme Court/AFP via Getty Images Last Saturday, US officials also met with UK pro-life activists regarding censorship fears, according to The Telegraph. Vice President JD Vance warned European officials about their speech restriction efforts in February during an appearance at the Munich Security Conference. 'You cannot win a democratic mandate by censoring your opponents or putting them in jail,' Vance scolded leaders at one point. The vice president in his address further highlighted moves by the EU Commission to suppress social media posts deemed 'hateful' and the persecution of Christians silently praying outside abortion clinics in the UK. 'The government urged readers to report any fellow citizens suspected guilty of thoughtcrime in Britain and across Europe,' he said. 'Free speech, I fear, is in retreat.'
Saudi Gazette
6 days ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Trump's Riyadh visit: A signal of global recalibration
Before President Donald Trump's plane even touched down in Riyadh, the world stood at a decisive crossroads—caught between the prospect of dangerous escalations or the promise of long-overdue settlements that could end years of unrest across multiple regions. The recent era has been marked by instability—partly due to the diminishing clarity and strength of America's global role. The signs are everywhere: the grinding war between Russia and Ukraine, a heated escalation between India and Pakistan, and persistent volatility in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Palestine, and Israel. This vacuum has had consequences. Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, however, reframed the equation. It signaled something more than symbolism — it carried the weight of intent. It told the world that the coming years of his political resurgence will likely be shaped by a strategy of resolution, not just reaction. From Riyadh, he announced a vision to reassert American influence with the aim of restoring balance — not through speeches, but through action. And he's capable of doing just that. Trump remains, with or without the presidency, a defining force in American politics. His alignment with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a statesman reshaping the region's future, is not just political chemistry — it is geopolitical convergence. Their cooperation could recalibrate not only regional dynamics but also the global order. This visit is not an electoral maneuver. It is the calculated move of a figure who understands that the Middle East remains at the heart of global stability. Even outside the White House, Trump retains the power to shape narratives and priorities. His presence in Riyadh sends a clear message: Saudi Arabia is not just a player in the region — it is the cornerstone. From Iran and Gaza to Syria and oil markets, the Kingdom's role is central to every major balance. At a time when Gaza is inflamed, Iran is emboldened, Syria is in flux, and the West is questioning its footing post-Ukraine, the timing of the visit is far from coincidental. It is deliberate — and strategic. The US-Saudi relationship is not transactional, nor is it dictated by any single administration. It is a long-standing partnership rooted in shared security, mutual interests, and an understanding of the region's complexities. Still, one cannot ignore that Trump's administration treated Riyadh not as a subordinate, but as a central pillar in the regional equation. There was a clarity in engagement, a respect for sovereignty, and a practical support for Saudi Arabia's developmental ambitions. In times of global transition, certain signals matter more than statements. Trump's arrival in Riyadh may well be remembered as a moment that repositioned the region — not by force, but by influence.
Welcome Qatar
22-05-2025
- Business
- Welcome Qatar
Did Trump really strike Gulf deals worth $2tn?
Did Trump really strike Gulf deals worth $2tn? 1 day ago Share Save Sameer Hashmi Business reporter Reporting fromJeddah Getty Images Donald Trump waves with one hand as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stands behind himGetty Images Trump started the four-day visit in Saudi Arabia where deals worth $600bn were announced Flying home from his Gulf trip last week, President Donald Trump told reporters 'that was a great four days, historic four days'. Visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), he added in this trademark swagger that 'the jobs and money coming into our countries, there has never been anything like it'. Trump claimed that he was able to secure deals totalling more than $2tn (£1.5tn) for the US, but do the numbers add up? The trip itself was an extravaganza, with the three Gulf states pulling out all the stops. Escorts of fighter jets, extravagant welcoming ceremonies, a thundering 21-gun salute, a fleet of Tesla Cybertrucks, royal camels, Arabian horses, and sword dancers were all part of the pageantry. The UAE also awarded Mr Trump the country's highest civilian honour, the Order of Zayed. The visit's optics were striking; the region's richest petrostates flaunted their opulence, revealing just how much of that fortune they were ready to deploy to strengthen ties with the US while advancing their own economic goals. Ros Atkins on… Trump's deals in the Gulf Trump heads to Saudi Arabia eyeing more investment in US What did Trump's speech in Saudi Arabia reveal? Before embarking on the trip, President Trump, who touts himself as a 'dealmaker in chief' was clear that the main objective of the trip was to land investments worth billions of dollars. On the face of it, he succeeded. In Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reiterated a pledge to invest $600bn in US-Saudi partnerships. There were a plethora of deals announced as part of this, encompassing arms, artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare, infrastructure projects and science collaborations, and various security ties and initiatives. The $142bn defence deal grabbed a lot of the attention as it was described by the White House as the largest arms deal ever. However, there remains some doubt as to whether those investment figures are realistic. During his first term in office from 2017 to 2021, Trump had announced that Saudi Arabia had agreed to $450bn in deals with the US. But actual trade and investment flows amounted to less than $300bn between 2017 to 2020, according to data compiled by the Arab Gulf States Institute. The report was authored by Tim Callen, the former International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission chief to Saudi Arabia, and now a visiting fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute. 'The proof with all of these [new] deals will be in the pudding,' says Mr Callen. The BBC contacted the White House for comment. Getty Images Trump walking through a guard of honour with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman upon landing in RiyadhGetty Images President Trump was given a welcome fit for royalty In Qatar, Trump announced an 'economic exchange' worth at least $1.2tn. However, in the fact sheet released by the White House deals worth only $243.5bn between the two countries were mentioned. One of the Qatari agreements that was confirmed was Qatar Airways purchasing up to 210 passenger jets for $96bn from the beleaguered American aircraft manufacturer Boeing. The White House said the deal would support 154,000 jobs in the US each year of their production, totalling one million jobs over the deal's lifecycle. Meanwhile, the UAE inked an agreement to construct the world's largest AI campus outside the US, reportedly granting it access to 500,000 cutting edge microchips from US giant Nvidia, starting next year. This project sits within the UAE's broader pledge to invest $1.4tn in the US over the next decade. As well as the challenge of delivering what is promised, another potential obstacle to these figures being realised are oil prices. Oil prices tumbled to a four-year low in April amid growing concerns that Trump's tariffs could dampen global economic growth. The decline was further fuelled by the group of oil producing nations, Opec+, announcing plans to increase output. For Saudi Arabia, the fall in global oil prices since the start of the year has further strained its finances, increasing pressure to either raise debt or cut spending to sustain its development goals. Last month, the IMF cut the forecast for the world's largest oil exporter's GDP growth in 2025 to 3% from its previous estimate of 3.3%. 'It's going to be very hard for Saudi to come up with that sort of money [the $600bn announced] in the current oil price environment,' Mr Callen adds. Other analysts note that a lot of the agreements signed during the trip were non-binding memorandums of understanding, which are less formal than contracts, and do not always translate into actual transactions. And some of the deals included in the agreement were announced earlier. Saudi oil firm Aramco, for instance, announced 34 agreements with US companies valued at up to $90bn. However, most were non-binding memorandums of understanding without specified monetary commitments. And its agreement to purchase 1.2 million tonnes of liquified natural gas annually for 20 years from US firm NextDecade was also included in the list of new deals, despite it first being announced months ago. Getty Images A Qatar Airways Boeing aircraftGetty Images One of the deals announced on the trip was Qatar Airways buying 210 new aircraft from Boeing Yet the massive investments mark a continuation of the shift in the US-Gulf relationship away from oil-for-security to stronger economic partnerships rooted in bilateral investments. Bader Al Saif, an assistant professor at Kuwait University and an associate fellow at think tank Chatham House, says that the deals indicate that US and the Gulf states are 'planning the future together and that was a significant change for the relationship'. He adds that the AI deals with the UAE and Saudi Arabia were central to this as 'they clearly demonstrate that they are trying to see how to build the new global order and the new way of doing things together'. This emphasis on AI underscores the growing strategic importance of the technology to US diplomacy. Trump was accompanied on the trip by Sam Altman, the boss of OpenAI, Nvidia's Jensen Huang, and Elon Musk, who owns Grok AI. And on the eve of the visit, the White House scrapped tough Biden-era restrictions on exports of the advanced US semiconductors required to best run AI systems. The rules had divided the world into tiers, with some countries enjoying broad access to its high-end chips, and others being denied them altogether. About 120 countries, including the Gulf nations, were grouped in the middle, facing strict caps on the number of semiconductors they could import. This had frustrated countries such as Saudi Arabia, who have ambitions to become high-tech economies as they transition away from oil. Both Saudi and the UAE are racing to build large-scale AI data centres, while Abu Dhabi, the UAE's capital, aims to become a global AI hub. The UAE has made visible efforts to reassure Washington – deepening partnerships with US tech firms, curbing ties with Chinese companies, and aligning more closely with American national security interests. Mr Al-Saif says that the UAE is 'betting on the Americans when it comes to AI'. 'We have seen that the technological turn in the 90s came from the US anyway.' Getty Images Trump walking with the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al Thani Getty Images After Saudi Arabia Trump travelled to Qatar where $1.2tn of deals were announced Both camps are hailing the visit as a triumph. For the Gulf, and especially Saudi Arabia, it resets a partnership that frayed under Biden, and underscores their ambition to act as heavyweight players on the world stage. For Trump, touting 'trillions' in new investment offers a timely boost – his tariff hikes have dented global trade and pushed US output into its first quarterly dip in three years. These Gulf deals will be sold as proof that his economic playbook is working. At the end of the trip, Mr Trump worried that whoever succeeds him in the White House would claim credit for the deals once they come to completion. 'I'll be sitting home, who the hell knows where I'll be, and I'll say, 'I did that,'' he said. 'Somebody's going to be taking the credit for this. You remember, press,' he said, pointing to himself, 'this guy did it.'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Did Trump really strike Gulf deals worth $2tn?
Flying home from his Gulf trip last week, President Donald Trump told reporters "that was a great four days, historic four days". Visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), he added in this trademark swagger that "the jobs and money coming into our countries, there has never been anything like it". Trump claimed that he was able to secure deals totalling more than $2tn (£1.5tn) for the US, but do the numbers add up? The trip itself was an extravaganza, with the three Gulf states pulling out all the stops. Escorts of fighter jets, extravagant welcoming ceremonies, a thundering 21-gun salute, a fleet of Tesla Cybertrucks, royal camels, Arabian horses, and sword dancers were all part of the pageantry. The UAE also awarded Mr Trump the country's highest civilian honour, the Order of Zayed. The visit's optics were striking; the region's richest petrostates flaunted their opulence, revealing just how much of that fortune they were ready to deploy to strengthen ties with the US while advancing their own economic goals. Ros Atkins on... Trump's deals in the Gulf Trump heads to Saudi Arabia eyeing more investment in US What did Trump's speech in Saudi Arabia reveal? Before embarking on the trip, President Trump, who touts himself as a "dealmaker in chief" was clear that the main objective of the trip was to land investments worth billions of dollars. On the face of it, he succeeded. In Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reiterated a pledge to invest $600bn in US-Saudi partnerships. There were a plethora of deals announced as part of this, encompassing arms, artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare, infrastructure projects and science collaborations, and various security ties and initiatives. The $142bn defence deal grabbed a lot of the attention as it was described by the White House as the largest arms deal ever. However, there remains some doubt as to whether those investment figures are realistic. During his first term in office from 2017 to 2021, Trump had announced that Saudi Arabia had agreed to $450bn in deals with the US. But actual trade and investment flows amounted to less than $300bn between 2017 to 2020, according to data compiled by the Arab Gulf States Institute. The report was authored by Tim Callen, the former International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission chief to Saudi Arabia, and now a visiting fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute. "The proof with all of these [new] deals will be in the pudding," says Mr Callen. The BBC contacted the White House for comment. In Qatar, Trump announced an "economic exchange" worth at least $1.2tn. However, in the fact sheet released by the White House deals worth only $243.5bn between the two countries were mentioned. One of the Qatari agreements that was confirmed was Qatar Airways purchasing up to 210 passenger jets for $96bn from the beleaguered American aircraft manufacturer. The White House said the deal would support 154,000 jobs in the US each year of their production, totalling one million jobs over the deal's lifecycle. Meanwhile, the UAE inked an agreement to construct the world's largest AI campus outside the US, reportedly granting it access to 500,000 cutting edge microchips from US giant Nvidia, starting next year. This project sits within the UAE's broader pledge to invest $1.4tn in the US over the next decade. As well as the challenge of delivering what is promised, another potential obstacle to these figures being realised are oil prices. Oil prices tumbled to a four-year low in April amid growing concerns that Trump's tariffs could dampen global economic growth. The decline was further fuelled by the group of oil producing nations, Opec+, announcing plans to increase output. For Saudi Arabia, the fall in global oil prices since the start of the year has further strained its finances, increasing pressure to either raise debt or cut spending to sustain its development goals. Last month, the IMF cut the forecast for the world's largest oil exporter's GDP growth in 2025 to 3% from its previous estimate of 3.3%. "It's going to be very hard for Saudi to come up with that sort of money [the $600bn announced] in the current oil price environment," Mr Callen adds. Other analysts note that a lot of the agreements signed during the trip were non-binding memorandums of understanding, which are less formal than contracts, and do not always translate into actual transactions. And some of the deals included in the agreement were announced earlier. Saudi oil firm Aramco, for instance, announced 34 agreements with US companies valued at up to $90bn. However, most were non-binding memorandums of understanding without specified monetary commitments. And its agreement to purchase 1.2 million tonnes of liquified natural gas annually for 20 years from US firm NextDecade was also included in the list of new deals, despite it first being announced months ago. Yet the massive investments mark a continuation of the shift in the US-Gulf relationship away from oil-for-security to stronger economic partnerships rooted in bilateral investments. Bader Al Saif, an assistant professor at Kuwait University and an associate fellow at think tank Chatham House, says that the deals indicate that US and the Gulf states are "planning the future together and that was a significant change for the relationship". He adds that the AI deals with the UAE and Saudi Arabia were central to this as "they clearly demonstrate that they are trying to see how to build the new global order and the new way of doing things together". This emphasis on AI underscores the growing strategic importance of the technology to US diplomacy. Trump was accompanied on the trip by Sam Altman, the boss of OpenAI, Nvidia's Jensen Huang, and Elon Musk, who owns Grok AI. And on the eve of the visit, the White House scrapped tough Biden-era restrictions on exports of the advanced US semiconductors required to best run AI systems. The rules had divided the world into tiers, with some countries enjoying broad access to its high-end chips, and others being denied them altogether. About 120 countries, including the Gulf nations, were grouped in the middle, facing strict caps on the number of semiconductors they could import. This had frustrated countries such as Saudi Arabia, who have ambitions to become high-tech economies as they transition away from oil. Both Saudi and the UAE are racing to build large-scale AI data centres, while Abu Dhabi, the UAE's capital, aims to become a global AI hub. The UAE has made visible efforts to reassure Washington – deepening partnerships with US tech firms, curbing ties with Chinese companies, and aligning more closely with American national security interests. Mr Al-Saif says that the UAE is "betting on the Americans when it comes to AI". "We have seen that the technological turn in the 90s came from the US anyway." Both camps are hailing the visit as a triumph. For the Gulf, and especially Saudi Arabia, it resets a partnership that frayed under Biden, and underscores their ambition to act as heavyweight players on the world stage. For Trump, touting "trillions" in new investment offers a timely boost - his tariff hikes have dented global trade and pushed US output into its first quarterly dip in three years. These Gulf deals will be sold as proof that his economic playbook is working. At the end of the trip, Mr Trump worried that whoever succeeds him in the White House would claim credit for the deals once they come to completion. "I'll be sitting home, who the hell knows where I'll be, and I'll say, 'I did that,'" he said. "Somebody's going to be taking the credit for this. You remember, press," he said, pointing to himself, "this guy did it." The world's most dangerous country for trade unionists Letting off steam: How Dominica's volcanoes will boost its green energy Is the US finally on track to build a high-speed rail network? Deported gang members get second chance at call centre
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Analysis: Trump's Gulf visit was a strategic reset — not a bidding war
From the moment Air Force One landed in Riyadh to its departure from Abu Dhabi, US President Donald Trump's Middle East tour was met with a chorus of skepticism from several Western critics. Accusations of a 'bidding war' between Gulf nations and 'pay-to-play' politics dominated headlines, casting the trip as little more than transactional diplomacy devoid of strategic depth. But this narrative overlooks the deeper shifts unfolding in the region and oversimplifies the complexities of international relations Saudi Arabia, the tour's first stop, is not merely a wealthy oil producer seeking favor from Washington. Under the ambitious Vision 2030 plan, the kingdom is undergoing a seismic shift — diversifying its economy, investing in technology, and positioning itself as a global hub for innovation. The milestone of welcoming 100 million tourists and the discovery of significant uranium and lithium reserves underscore Saudi Arabia's commitment to a diversified and sustainable future. Similarly, the UAE and Qatar are charting their own paths toward modernization and economic diversification. These nations aren't vying for attention through lavish spending but are actively pursuing partnerships aligned with their long-term strategic goals. The agreements and investments announced during President Trump's visit — totaling in the trillions — are not gifts or bribes. They represent mutually beneficial partnerships aimed at fostering economic growth, technological advancement, and regional stability. For instance, discussions around potential US-Saudi nuclear cooperation are not about favoritism, but about leveraging American expertise to support the kingdom's energy transition. Moreover, the US stands to gain significantly. By engaging directly with Gulf nations, it can secure lucrative deals for its companies, create jobs, and reinforce its strategic presence in a region rapidly becoming a nexus of global commerce and innovation. Critics have questioned the grand receptions afforded to President Trump, contrasting them with the more subdued welcomes given to previous US presidents. But diplomatic protocols often reflect the nature of the visit and the preferences of the visiting delegation. In Trump's case, the elaborate ceremonies were a testament to strong bilateral relationships and mutual respect between the US and its Gulf allies. One of the most significant aspects of the visit was Trump's candid acknowledgment of past US foreign policy missteps in the region. By admitting to errors stemming from both neoconservative and liberal interventions, he signaled a willingness to learn from the past and engage with the Middle East in a more respectful and constructive manner. This honesty was well-received by many in the Arab world, who have long sought a more balanced and understanding approach from Washington. Trump's decision to skip Israel sparked speculation about snubs or diplomatic tensions. But it's more plausible the omission was strategic. With no significant breakthroughs to announce — such as a ceasefire or peace deal — a visit to Israel might have been premature. Furthermore, the complex dynamics between the US, Israel, and Gulf nations require careful navigation to ensure that progress on one front doesn't hinder advancements on another. The president's affirmation of Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and his respect for its conditions regarding the Abraham Accords — particularly the recognition of a Palestinian state — highlight a nuanced understanding of the region's realities. While the path to comprehensive peace remains fraught with challenges, the upcoming Saudi-led global coalition for a two-state solution, set to convene in France this summer, offers a glimmer of hope.
