Economy and trade

France's President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shake hands

France, Saudi Arabia announce more than $10B in deals on MBS visit

Among the deals included a 6 billion euro ($7 billion) pledge from the Public Investment Fund in three manga-themed amusement parks on the outskirts of Paris.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian holds a press conference on Aug. 19, 2026.

China slams Trump over economic war on Iran: What to know

China’s once significant oil imports from Iran have been impacted by the war in the region and increasing US sanctions.

King Abdullah II arrives in Beijing, Aug. 20, 2026. Photo from Xinhua/Chen Yehua.

Explainer

King Abdullah visits China as region hedges against US unpredictability

With no end in sight to the war in Iran and an unchecked Israeli policy across the region, the kingdom is hedging against future uncertainty and a less predictable US policy.

Iranians drive past an anti-US billboard at Enghelab Square in central Tehran, Aug. 3, 2026.

Trump’s Iran ‘economic D-Day’ threat sends oil prices above $94

In a Truth Social post, the president threatened that any country that provides a financial lifeline to Iran will face "tremendous economic consequences."

Latest News

Jordan's King Abdullah heads to China in first visit since 2015: What to know

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with King of Jordan Abdullah II during a signing ceremony at The Great Hall Of The People on Sept. 9, 2015, in Beijing, China.

Kuwait's LNG imports climb to highest level since start of Iran war

The Al-Riqqa oil tanker (L) and Al-Yarmouk oil tankers sail in the Arabian Gulf waters, off the coast of Kuwait City on June 27, 2026.

Explainer

UAE-Egypt ties keep growing as Cairo navigates shifting Gulf landscape

Building construction at the Red Sea in Egypt.

Analysis

Jordan shores up US lifelines as Iran targets Amman’s reliance on Washington

US President Donald Trump (R) meets with Jordanian King Abdullah II in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, Feb. 11, 2025.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

An Egyptian man drives a tuk-tuk (motorised rickshaw) in the al-Khalifa district of Egypt's capital Cairo on January 11, 2023. - With Egypt's economy in crisis, the currency in freefall and inflation skyrocketing, the poor have been hit hard but the middle class is also teetering on the brink. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Egypt's year-on-year inflation drops below 30% in first since January

The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) announced that Egypt’s inflation rate has maintained its downturn for the fourth consecutive month, dropping to 28.15% in May from 32.54% in April.

YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images

Invest Qatar sees big role for logistics sector, World Cup spurred investments

The Gulf country ranks seventh globally in logistics competence in Agility's Emerging Markets Logistics Index as the Qatar Free Zones Authority brings in top companies in the sector.

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Qatar National Bank says GCC banks have more liquidity than global rivals

An executive at the Qatari lender said that Gulf countries will have to compete with the rest of the world for billions of dollars in equity to finance infrastructure projects, of which there is a higher demand than supply.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) is escorted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was killed on July 8, 2022, during their meeting in Osaka, Japan, June 30, 2019.

Culture

Despite postponement of MBS' visit, Saudi-Japanese ties on upswing

The increase in high-level visits and overall mutual visits has been the most notable aspect of the development of Saudi-Japanese relations in recent years.

The Sudanese (L) and Saudi flag are seeing flying on the tarmac during a joint Sudan and Saudi Arabia air force drill at the Marwa air base, near Meroe some 350 kilometres north of Khartoum, on April 9, 2017.

Analysis

Can Gulf investors outstrip China in Africa as UAE expands reach?

As the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC states boost investments in Africa,Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative could face serious challenges.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

United Arab Emirates' President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (L), South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol (C), and his wife Kim Keon Hee (R) watch the Black Eagles, the aerobatic team of T-50 jets belonging to South Korea's air force, during a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Office in Seoul on May 29, 2024. (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

South Korea, UAE ink trade deal lifting tariffs on over 90% of imports

The agreement was signed by ministers at a summit in the capital Seoul during the UAE president's first state visit.

United Arab Emirates

Axel Baroux

Interview

Saudi Expo 2030 to offer major opportunities for French businesses, says official

In November, the Saudi capital won the right to host the Expo 2030 world trade fair that is expected to attract around 40 million visitors and billions of dollars of inward investment.

Axel Baroux

Axel Baroux

French Trade and Invest Commissioner for the UAE and Middle East

India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, and his Saudi Arabia counterpart and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) shake hands during a session of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Sept. 9, 2023.

Analysis

Gaza war complicates IMEC plans even as Gulf-India ties warm

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor's progress is facing some difficulties related to geopolitical complexities, funding and conflicts in the Red Sea and Gaza.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Goldman Sachs first Wall Street bank to get green light for Saudi Arabia HQ

The US-headquartered investment bank received a license from the Saudi Ministry of Investment to set up its regional headquarters in the capital, Riyadh.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 17: U. S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during a meeting with Japan's Minister of Finance Shun'ichi Suzuki and South Korea's Minister of Economy and Finance Sangmok Choi at the Treasury Department on April 17, 2024. Yellen cautioned on Tuesday that the U.S is poised to escalate sanctions against Iran in response to its recent assault on Israel. (Photo by Michael A. McCoy/Getty Images)

Yellen warns Israel against blocking Palestinian banks, battering West Bank

Israel has been threatening to cancel a vital waiver that expires July 1 between Israeli and Palestinian banks that allows Israeli banks to process shekel payments for vital services and PA salaries.

CAMILLE LAFFONT/AFP via Getty Images

UAE's ADNOC invests in Mozambique's natural gas in first African foray

The deal will give ADNOC a share of the liquified natural gas output from the concession, which has a combined capacity of over 25 million metric tons per pear, the company said in a statement.

United Arab Emirates

SHARM EL SHEIKH, EGYPT - FEBRUARY 24: King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia during talks with UK Prime Minister Theresa May while they attend the first Arab-European Summit on February 24, 2019 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Leaders from European and Arab nations are meeting for the two-day summit to discuss topics including security, trade and migration. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Saudi crown prince cancels Japan trip over King Salman's health concerns

The Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday that the crown prince’s 88-year-old father, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, was suffering from lung inflammation and will be treated at the Al Salam Palace in Jeddah.