×

Trump sends clear messages to Saudis

There can be no doubt Saudi Arabia leaders got the message President Donald Trump was sending Saturday.

Trump has been accused of, in effect, being unnecessarily blunt and forceful when tact would accomplish an end more certainly. He used a mixture of the two on Saturday.

During his visit with the Saudi royal family during the weekend, the president signed agreements for about $110 billion in deals between the two countries. Much of that involves U.S. military aid to Saudi Arabia.

That was the blunt instrument, making it clear that the Obama era of viewing Saudi Arabia as an ally at arms length are over. Now, the two countries are embracing in the battle against both Islamic terrorism and the regional threat posed by Iran.

But something else that happened was equally — perhaps more — important.

On Saturday, the Trump administration made it clear Americans do not agree with some Saudi policies. Specifically, treating women as second-class citizens was spotlighted.

Accompanying Trump were his wife Melania and his daughter Ivanka. Neither wore the head covering common in some Islamic cultures.

There were other signals. Trump’s interpreter during ceremonies Saturday was a woman. In a formal exchange of documents between the two countries, one of the U.S. officials participating was a woman. The message was clear: Americans do not agree with discrimination against women.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.65/week.

Subscribe Today