‘President Trump is a businessman… he listens’: UAE minister backs Trump-style trade negotiations

Dubai: Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, cited US President Donald Trump’s business-minded approach to negotiations as a model for how nations can pursue trade deals.
During a candid chat at the Indo-UAE Conclave in Dubai, Dr Al Zeyoudi stressed that any trade engagement must serve national interests.

“At the end of the day, President Trump is a businessman. He wants to strike a deal. He is looking at added value to the US. We have to look at the same thing from our own angle,” Dr Al Zeyoudi said.
Meanwhile, Trump arrived in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, after visiting Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Be bold, negotiate

Acknowledging Trump’s high-stakes negotiation tactics, the minister said: “The good thing about Trump and him being a businessman, is that he sits on the table and starts negotiating. Yes, he raises the bar of his demand at the beginning. But he listens. If he sees value, which is going to be brought to the US, he will accept it. And we have to know what we want. We have to be clear, be bold, and negotiate to secure our interests,” Dr Al Zeyoudi said, pointing to the strong, balanced partnership between the UAE and India over the past four to five years as an example of successful, mutually beneficial negotiations.

He also cautioned against over-reliance on any single partner, even strategic allies.
“Diversity is critical. No matter how important your strategic partner is, you must ensure alternative supply, investment sources and markets. We will negotiate and secure our interests, but we must always maintain diversification and alternatives in everything we do.”

Highlighting the remarkable gains achieved through the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), he said: “The UAE and India have sent a signal that when South-South nations come together, they can deliver a powerful message, meaningful outcomes, and shared values to each other and to the rest of the South-South nations.”