President Donald Trump’s destination for his first official visit is telling—as it is formative—for those on the other side of the Atlantic.
The magic formula isn’t something mystic, elaborate, or clever, but rather something outright American: money. If you want to dress it up with a little more decorum, then we can call it the ‘American dream,’ but the semantics are the same.
If Europe wants to achieve actual results with its upcoming tariff negotiations alongside Trump, Brussels can learn a thing or two from the Gulf’s way of doing business.
The EU-27 can retain its sovereignty and soft power prestige on regulations, taxation, and social liberties while investing in key sectors of Trump’s America—if the bloc pays attention to Trump’s self-indulgent brand and makes the formal a little more informal.
Trump’s Visit to Three Oil Sheikhdoms
Trump’s visit to the GCC comes as the President seeks top business deals for the U.S. as part of his ‘America First’ strategy.
“If Saudi can make it $1 trillion, then I will come to Saudi,” the President reportedly said in 2017.
Then, the U.S. sought to prioritise the Middle East, albeit with a strong focus on U.S.-Israel ties.
Now, all bets are on the Gulf.
Trump’s trip comes as he starts the process of easing trade tariffs on some trading partners.
The United Kingdom was first to gain formal concessions after the tariff hikes signed last month sent markets into freefall across Europe.
Tit-for-Tat: GCC Investments in the U.S.
While the Gulf escaped significant tariff imposition—maintaining a baseline 10% on petrochemicals and aluminium—Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Doha hope for further concessions or at least secured U.S. investments that support their diversification agendas.
In return, the three sheikhdoms will leverage mutual investments in defence, AI, critical minerals, and real estate as key pillars of their economic pledges.
Trump’s agenda to boost U.S. manufacturing and “bring jobs home” is validated by these Gulf pledges.
The Details that Count: Personal Touch
Yet business isn’t merely about reciprocal deals.
In typical Khaleeji fashion, Qatar and the UAE mix business with appreciation wrapped up in golden bows, some between governments, and others between individuals.
The Qatari royal family has reportedly offered a Qatar Airways Boeing 747 plane refit for the U.S. Presidential fleet. Meanwhile, Kushner and Trump Jr. are preparing investments in the UAE in tandem with the Emirati business community.
The Trump Organisation has announced partnerships with DarGlobal and DAMAC Properties to expand their presence in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman—illustrating how commercial and political ties are increasingly intertwined.
Tariff Deals: EU-U.S.
Brussels are unlikely to lavish extravagant gifts on the President, but the bloc can learn to loosen its diplomatic stiffness and approach trade talks with greater pragmatism.
Trump’s Negotiating Tactics
In upcoming EU-U.S. tariff talks, Brussels should consider linking concessions to investment pledges in the U.S.—particularly in defence and green energy—while maintaining the high standards that define European markets.
An added layer of pomp, such as inviting Trump to Brussels or European capitals, as with J.D. Vance’s visit to Rome, would go a long way toward smoothing diplomatic tensions.
Strategic Room for the EU: Israel-Palestine and Ukraine
On the diplomatic front, the EU can mirror the Gulf’s mediation strategy while pushing beyond dialogue to achieve tangible outcomes.
While the UAE has hosted multiple prisoner exchange deals between Russia and Ukraine and is committed to peace, integration, and dialogue, via the Abraham Accords, Abu Dhabi is putting all it’s eggs in one basket via the Accords to avoid entanglement in regional sensitivities.
Trump recently acknowledged Netanyahu’s obstructionism on Gaza, coinciding with the release of the last U.S. hostage from Gaza via Qatari-Egyptian mediation—without Israeli involvement.
Europe, meanwhile, has a chance to lead: by recognising a Palestinian state, with France and the UK at the helm alongside GCC partners in a renewed push for a post-war reconstruction and governance authority of the Gaza Strip, whilst proposing actionable solutions on Ukraine, not just rhetorical support.
Unilateralism and Diplomacy
Trump appears to favour a unilateral approach—applying extreme pressure on both Netanyahu and Putin.
The GCC plays a valuable role in conflict mediation, but the EU has a chance to move from dialogue to policy impact.
Pushing for recognition of Palestinian statehood by other UNSC P5 members and offering a European roadmap on Ukraine could earn Brussels greater influence in Washington.
Already we are seeing European unity on Ukraine, with Trump conceding to Europe’s plan to peace in Ukraine, rather than his earlier attempt to unilaterally co-opt Ukraine into a peace plea with Moscow.
Trump’s participation in the Istanbul format, now revived from the dead, will be telling.
GCC-China Mirror: Multi-Vector Diplomacy
Another takeaway is the GCC’s ability to balance U.S. and Chinese interests.
Europe can benefit from a similar strategy of strategic autonomy.
The GCC hedges its bets—deepening relations with Beijing while securing major trade and defence deals with Washington.
Europe should aim to do the same or at least deepen ties with Beijing to hedge against Washington’s self-imposed measures.
In the long-run, finding a middle ground between Washington and Beijing would be wise for the EU-27 beyond Trump's presidency.
A Reality Check Worth Noting
Europe would do well to adapt elements of the Gulf’s diplomacy: a blend of realism, a personal touch albeit modified for EU sensibilities, and pragmatism.
With state recognition of Palestine gaining traction and Trump rebranding himself as a global dealmaker, the EU needs to understand the personalities at play—from the White House to Tel Aviv to Moscow.
If Europe wants to keep pace, it must make the formal, a little more informal.
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