Trump Sidesteps Rising Gulf Tensions in Call Praising Qatar
- President’s call with Qatari emir focuses on stronger ties
- Spat among U.S. Gulf allies in spotlight after relative calm
Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
Photographer: Karim Jaafar/AFP via Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
A call between President Donald Trump and Qatar’s ruler on Monday was notable for what it didn’t include -- a reference to the escalation in the long-running dispute between U.S. allies in the Gulf.
Trump thanked Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for “Qatari action to counter terrorism and extremism in all forms,” and the two leaders also discussed ways to strengthen relations on security and economic issues, according to a White House summary of the call. It sidestepped 48 hours of mysterious developments in the Gulf dispute, including the United Arab Emirates claiming that Qatari jets buzzed two passenger planes, and a descendant of Qatar’s founder accusing the U.A.E. of holding him against his will.