do you think MBS knew about the placards? and there wasn't an undertone of 'look how much money you are giving us for this stuff?' I felt it was humiliating. Trump has also made disparaging comments about the Saudi King ('he would not last two weeks without US support'), but Trump is a retard who makes stupid comments about everyone so we'll ignore that one.
MBS plays the game of giving Trump the big number investments that he likes to brag about. it's not a pretty game but better than pissing him off considering he is mentally a toddler and quite vindictive.
yes the oil embargo in the 70s was effective, but the Arab states are now much closer with the West so they won't use that leverage again any time soon
Why would he not? What is wrong with placards showing possible/future Saudi Arabian purchases? I saw nothing humiliating about it, rather the contrary he went overboard showcasing Saudi Arabian wealth and power. As for that comment, aside from being ridiculous (the House of Saud have been in power for 305 years, around 50 + longer than the US has even existed as a country), Trump has made similar and much worse comments about every single nation and leader out there. Nobody is taking this seriously or anything that Trump says for that matter as he is lying in every second statement of his. He is a showman/entertainer/con artist that somehow has gained power in the most powerful nation on earth.
Exactly, which is all this is about. Same stuff occurred back in 2017 when Trump visited KSA as his first foreign visit. To date not even 20% of those deals signed have ever been implemented. People can freely Google it.
Yes, every state/country is doing it, given that he is the ruler of the most powerful nation on earth. So every relevant leader/country wants to have him on their side rather than the opposite. All main Muslim leaders (relevant) are doing business with him and his family and associates as well.
I am curious to see what will happen in 3 years and 3 months when he becomes irrelevant (no longer is the president). How will they look at the Trump family? Maybe as some sort of investment given that many in his family or close associates are rumored to be running for office in the future.
This is high-level/global politics, an ugly affair, always was and always will be. Full of nepotism, corruption etc. No different in the West.
Truth, the Arab world and the West are much closer but also the role of Arab oil and oil as a whole as a source of energy has diminished as well and even if implemented again, it would not be that effective.
For instance the US is the largest oil producer in the world today and mostly self-sufficient. After the Russian sanctions in Europe, they have also tried to take over the oil and gas market in Europe (now Europeans are importing much more expensive US oil and gas compared to Russian) and in the process making a fortune. Add the added weapons sales to Europe (using Russia as a bogeyman) and they (USA) are making quite the heist.
Anyway we are off-topic so ending it here.