We respect and endorse the right of any country to protect itself, its citizens and its interests against terrorism. However, this latest rule issued by the administration of United States President Donald Trump, which prohibits large electronics items from being carried onto US-bound flights leaving from 10 Middle Eastern cities, breaches any reasonable level of credulity — both in terms of security and logic.

At first glance, it may look like there is some merit to America’s stated concerns, which is that a large electronic device could be rigged to carry explosives. That in itself is a valid concern and a complete ban on such devices would be defensible. But instead of banning laptops that could be compromised, the new US rules only require these devices to be checked in. There is no logic or merit to that. An explosive laptop in a plane’s cargo-hold is as dangerous as an explosive in the cabin area. The lack of logic here suggests that something else, other than security, is a factor.

The new rule also ignores the fact that tablets and most modern laptops, especially those used by business professionals, have been engineered so well that any attempt to remove their components to make room for an explosive device would likely render them useless.

The US is keenly aware of this and as a result they have required laptops to be both scanned separately and charged so that, if necessary, they can be turned on. It is a simple check to make sure your computer hasn’t been tampered with.

So, in short, it does not appear that these new rules have anything to do with security or safety.

So what other reason could there be? Well, it may all come down to business and the Trump administration, which has been unnerving the global economy for almost a week now with protectionist rhetoric.

For years, US airlines have complained that Gulf carriers have received illegal government support, a claim that Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways have all vigorously denied. These allegations were even ignored by the US under former president Barack Obama, who, instead of siding with the US airlines, investigated them for price collusion.

But under Trump’s “America First” policy, these airlines may have found themselves a new, perfect friend. Trump has already shown himself willing and capable of inflicting travel bans that disrupt the global air industry, while targeting Muslims — one that also benefits US airlines. It’s a win-win situation for Trump, but one that violates the very basic tenets of a free trade economy.