by
Hans Izaak Kriek*
He is also going to Brussels for the opening of the new NATO Headquarters and for the NATO Summit and after that to the G7 in Sicily. Around his visit to Israel, Trump will also meet Palestinian President Abbas; whether he goes to the West Bank is unclear so far. In Riyadh, meeting other leaders of the Middle East is on the agenda. Trump said that he hopes to create a ‘new foundation for cooperation with our Islamic allies in the fight against extremism, terrorism and violence’. "Our task is not to tell others how to live," said Trump, "but to form a coalition of friends and partners who have the common goal to combat terrorism and provide security, opportunities and stability."
Trump's first foreign travel as president comes relatively late. His predecessor Obama had already been on three overseas trips around this time, where he had visited nine countries. Trump breaks with its choice of destinations with a tradition to give priority to neighbouring countries of Canada and Mexico.
Are Trump visits to friends or enemies? Pope Francis recently said he would be 'sincere' with the US President over their sharp difference on subjects such as immigration and climate change. The Pope said also Trump is no Christian, but would keep an open mind and not pass judgement on Trump until first listening to his views at their meeting.
President Trump will meet Palestinian President Abbas for the second time. Abbas was recently in Washington and reiterated during his visit the Palestinian demand for an independent Palestinian state along pre-1967 borders. He also said that he was ready to meet Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu as part of a peace initiative by US President Trump, who is expected to visit the Palestinian territories.
Trump, who promised during his election campaign to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, has previously challenged the legitimacy of Palestinians demands for a state and dropped his country's commitment to a two-state solution. Trump said: "The Palestinians and Israelis must work together to reach an agreement that allows both peoples to live, worship and thrive and prosper in peace". Trump added that an agreement could not be imposed by the US.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has publicly disputed US Secretary of State Tillerson’s charge that Israel might not want the US Embassy relocated to Jerusalem at this time. In an interview recently, Tillerson said the president’s decision will be informed ‘by the parts involved’ in the Middle East peace process. “The president, I think rightly, has taken a very deliberative approach to understanding the issue itself, listening to input from all interested parties in the region, and understanding, in the context of a peace initiative, what impact would such a move have,” Tillerson said.
When President Trump arrives in Saudi Arabia, on the first leg of his Middle Eastern visit, some $100 billion in arms contracts are waiting for his signature. This amount is only one third of what the Saudis are expected to purchase over the next ten years. The arms deal is a huge stimulus for the American economy, according to American officials. King Mohammed bin Salman will be the best friend of the US President. In Riyadh, Trump meets also heads of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and 56 religious leaders for a session dedicated to combating extremism. Key issues are the fight against ISIS, maritime shipping threats in the Red Sea and missile threats from Iran.
President Trump’s first international trip is of great importance. Who will be his friend and who his enemy afterwards.
*Hans Izaak Kriek is international political commentator for European Business Review and editor-in-chief of Kriek Media.
By: N. Peter Kramer
