Can Trump follow through on arms pledges to the Gulf?
The White House is spotlighting more than $180 billion in arms sales to Gulf states, but the public numbers don’t add up. As Washington looks to safeguard its influence over Gulf powers against a rising China, can it fulfill Trump’s deals?
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Trump is touting a series of megadeals as he tours Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on the first scheduled state visit abroad of his second term. But the long-awaited US-Saudi defense pact has stalled, and there have been no announcements about an anticipated deal for US support for a civil Saudi nuclear energy program.
Instead, the White House is spotlighting more than $180 billion in arms sales — but the public numbers don’t add up.
As Washington looks to safeguard its influence over Gulf powers against a rising China, can it fulfill Trump’s deals?
