Economy and trade

Oil tankers and cranes at Merchants Harbor, Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Analysis

As Trump plays Russia oil sanctions gambit, will Middle East profit or pay?

A potential US crackdown on Russian oil buyers could disrupt global trade flows — and the Middle East stands to both benefit and lose.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/AFP via Getty Images

UAE looks to boost Russia trade to $23B despite Trump tariff threats

The two countries signed a trade agreement focusing on several key sectors, including fintech, health care, logistics, transportation and services.

United Arab Emirates

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends his first press conference, after taking office. on September 16, 2024 in Tehran, Iran.

Iran’s president to visit Armenia, China: What to know

Tehran is looking to strengthen ties with regional and Asian powers as Western sanctions continue to squeeze its economy.

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan (L) at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on October 20, 2024. (Photo by Artem Geodakyan / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ARTEM GEODAKYAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

UAE president heads to Russia to meet Putin as ties grow: What to know

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan is heading to Moscow on Thursday for an official visit, his second in less than a year as Russian-Emirati relations continue to develop rapidly.

United Arab Emirates

Latest News

UAE’s ADNOC inks 10-year gas deal with India: What to know

A picture shows the headquarters of UAE's state oil company ADNOC in Dubai on July 27, 2022.

United Arab Emirates

Iran mulls nixing zeros from currency as value plunges: What to know

This picture shows old Iranian banknotes of 1 million, 500,000,and 100,000 rials (L), and the new banknotes with four zeros removed (R), on Aug. 3, 2025.

Turkey’s inflation falls to four-year low of 33.5%: What to know

People shop at a local street market in Istanbul, Turkey, May 3, 2023.

Analysis

Netflix teams up with MBC’s Shahid in Saudi Arabia: An end to streaming wars?

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

NUSA DUA, INDONESIA - JULY 08: The Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi (R) greets the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luigi Di Maio (L) during arrival of the G20 Foreign Ministers and Head of Department at the Grand Ballroom Mulia Hotel on July 08, 2022 in Nusa Dua, Indonesia. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)

Interview

EU escorted over 200 ships in Red Sea amid Gulf maritime threats, envoy says

The Gulf states are supporting the EU's Operation Aspides to counter the Houthi threat in the Red Sea region, as both seek greater cooperation on maritime security, said Luigi di Maio.

Luigi di Maio

Luigi di Maio

EU Special Representative for the Gulf

MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images

Even with MBS absent, Saudi Arabia and UAE poised to make deals at G20

Gulf states will look for agreements and trade deals with partners from South America and elsewhere ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in January.

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron embark on an aircraft at the airport of Sale, north of Rabat, on Oct. 30, 2024.

Analysis

Relations between France, Algeria grow cooler over Morocco ties

The latest trip of French President Emmanuel Macron to Rabat was the last straw in the already shaky relations between Paris and Algiers.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attend a plenary session in the outreach/BRICS Plus format at the BRICS summit, Kazan, Oct. 24, 2024.

Analysis

Driven by geopolitics and trade, India-Saudi ties get boost from FM visit

Indian and Saudi foreign ministers discussed regional stability after Donald Trump's election and what his presidency might mean for foreign relations autonomy, trade and investment.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

MAXIM SHIPENKOV/AFP via Getty Images

BRICS offers Turkey 'partner country' status, Turkish trade minister says

The Turkish trade minister stopped short of clarifying whether Ankara accepted the offer or not.

Tunisia's president, Kais Saied, attends his swearing-in ceremony before the National Assembly in Tunis on Oct. 21, 2024.

Analysis

As Saied begins new term as president, Tunisians brace for unstable governance

In a second presidential term, Tunisia’s increasingly autocratic ruler is unlikely to secure the political and economic stability the country craves.

Francisco Serrano

By Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

A group of people are seen visiting the first Chinese dealership unveiled by British supercar maker Mclaren Automotive on Sept. 12, 2013 in Shanghai.

Analysis

From Elon Musk to McLaren supercars, Gulf rivals seeking EV edge eye everything

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have continued betting big on electric vehicles in 2024, and the coming year could prove critical to their ambitions.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

People walk past a fruit seller's stall in the Azhar district of Egypt's capital, Cairo, on Jan. 16, 2023.

Analysis

Egypt: $1.2B at stake as IMF reviews ‘halfhearted’ economic reforms

The International Monetary Fund's delayed review began Tuesday, and Egypt could see the release of more than $1.2 billion in financing.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

US President Donald Trump (L) speaks with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (C) as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2nd R) and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May smile during a family photo session at the G20 Summit in Osaka on June 28, 2019. (Photo by KIM KYUNG-HOON / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read KIM KYUNG-HOON/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Beyond congratulations, Trump faces changed, eastward-looking Gulf

Gulf states are familiar with Donald Trump and his transactional nature but have also managed to forge their own regional alliances over the last four years.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Saudi Aramco in 'advanced' talks on hydrogen offtake as Q3 income drops 15.3%

Aramco's Q3 net income fell 15.3% to $27.6 billion on low oil prices. Aramco is looking to expand into new business areas such as renewables and hydrogen.

A picture taken on March 12, 2017, shows a view of an oil facility in the Khark Island, on the shore of the Gulf.

How Trump, Harris presidencies could impact Middle East oil markets

Trump has favored a more interventionist approach toward OPEC, while the Biden-Harris administration has used the US' strategic petroleum reserves to influence oil policy

Participants arrive to attend the annual Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh, on Oct. 29, 2024.

Saudi Arabia's PIF signs $51B in MoUs with Japanese banks amid Asia push

The signings come amid the Future Investment Initiative this week in Riyadh, which attracted hundreds of international companies and investors to the kingdom.