Trade Why Oman is off Trump’s travel plans By Saleh Al-Shaibany May 14, 2025, 8:00 AM Reuters US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Economic promises seem to outweigh Oman's diplomatic efforts on President Trump's current trip Oman’s diplomatic role ignored Trump prioritises Gulf wealth Oman’s economy can’t compete Oman may have negotiated a ceasefire between the US and Yemen’s Houthis, and is the go-between the US and Iran in negotiations around nuclear weapons capability. But it is not among the countries President Donald Trump is visiting in the Arabian Gulf this week. “These Gulf countries Trump is currently visiting are offering trillions of dollars of investments to him, which Oman cannot match, as it’s currently struggling to straighten out its economy,” Saud Al-Hashmi, Managing Director of Capital Investments, based in Muscat, told AGBI. Trump is in Saudi Arabia, before travelling onto Qatar and finishing off his three-country tour in the UAE. Notwithstanding Oman’s central role as a mediator between the US and its long-time foe, Iran, and more recently with the Iranian-backed Houthi militia, the sultanate is not on his travel agenda, despite the proximity. “In Trump’s book, the three Gulf countries tick all the right boxes,” said Hasan Alhasan, senior fellow for Middle East policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Bahrain. “They pledge to invest trillions in the US economy and spend colossal amounts on US weapons systems.” Between them, the UAE and Saudi Arabia have offered around $2 trillion in investment and trade with the US over the next decade. Oman has made no such pledge. Instead, the country hosted a fourth round of talks last week between US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi aimed at finding agreement around Iran’s nuclear programme. Nuclear power is a hot-button issue for Trump’s Gulf visit Big money, big deals – but Gulf needs FDI clarity from Trump Gulf ready for high-energy talks with Trump On May 6, Oman mediated a ceasefire between Houthis and the US, securing assurance that neither side will target the other, including US vessels in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait. “Trump is using Iran to maximise what he can squeeze from these three Gulf countries, in terms of their wealth,” said Saad Qassim, a partner at Muscat Law Consultancy. “To him, his visit will provide a cash windfall to the US economy, which obviously Oman cannot [provide].” Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later
