President Donald Trump extended a warm welcome to the new Iraqi PM al-Zaidi at the White House on Tuesday, highlighting a strong personal connection with the fellow wealthy businessman who assumed office without any background in politics.
Ali al-Zaidi became Iraq’s consensus leader following months of political stalemate over the prime minister’s seat after last year’s parliamentary elections. Trump had previously backed al-Zaidi for the role while warning that US backing for Iraq could be cut off if an alternative candidate was selected.
“Mark my words, I knew what I was doing,” Trump said in the Oval Office as he sat alongside the new Iraqi PM al-Zaidi for his first visit outside Iraq as prime minister. “This man is going to be a great leader in the Middle East, beyond Iraq. His influence is going to spread all throughout the Middle East.”
Speaking through an interpreter, al-Zaidi stated that he brought greetings from the “oldest civilisation in the world” and that the purpose of his travel to the United States would be to declare a “economic partnership” between the two countries.
According to sources, the situation in Iran largely dominated Tuesday’s discussions. Iraq continues to face pressure to disarm Iran-backed militias operating within its borders, some of which launched attacks on US military bases and diplomatic missions during the US-Israel conflict with Iran in February.
The Iraqi government has officially given non-state armed groups until the end of September to disarm. However, several of the country’s most influential militias have publicly rejected the directive, insisting they will not comply.
Iraq, US sign 48 agreements during PM’s visit
Sources also revealed that during PM Ali al-Zaidi’s official visit to the United States, his office announced on Saturday that Iraq finalized 48 commercial agreements and partnerships with American corporations, with a heavy emphasis on the energy sector.
Despite its substantial oil reserves, Iraq continues to struggle with the aftermath of decades of conflict and political instability, leaving the nation burdened by deteriorating infrastructure, failing public utilities, administrative inefficiency, and deep-seated systemic corruption.
The country is in critical need of financial revitalization, a situation made even more urgent by a sharp drop in national revenue following the suspension of crude oil exports due to ongoing regional hostilities in the Middle East.
According to PM al-Zaidi’s media office, “A total of 48 agreements, memoranda of understanding, cooperation agreements, and partnership declarations were signed between public and private sector entities in Iraq and the United States.”
Backstory…
Al-Zaidi’s visit comes just a month after it was announced that US President Donald Trump will host the Iraqi Prime Minister at the White House amid talks on armed groups and bilateral ties.
Recently, the United States has increased pressure on Baghdad to disarm Iran-backed organisations. In early May, Washington pledged that it would resume security assistance and financial transfers to Iraq once “concrete steps” were taken against the groups.
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