Trump Loses UAE Backers After $2 Trillion Gulf Deals as Iran War Sours Ties

3 articles · Updated · AlterNet · Jun 24

$2 trillion in investment pledges failed to preserve Trump's standing in the UAE, where business figures now say his Iran war decision cost him support he had built during his Gulf outreach.
UAE officials publicly kept up pro-US messaging, but analysts and regional figures told the Washington Post that leaders had tried to dissuade Washington from launching the war and were angered by Trump's unpredictability.
Emirati businessman Omar Al Busaidy said Gulf residents believed Trump's 'no war' promises and now feel 'played,' arguing the conflict disrupted regional security, tourism, economics and infrastructure.
That frustration has spilled into public view: billionaire Khalaf Al Habtoor blasted Trump's 'dangerous decision,' while other UAE voices said the war brought no knockout blow and left the region destabilized.
The backlash suggests Trump's pro-business appeal in a key Gulf partner is weakening as the Iran conflict undercuts the stability that helped anchor his regional relationships.