Saudi Crown Prince’s Visit Highlights Growing Gulf Importance

The recent visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington, D.C., underscores the enduring significance of the Gulf region in global politics. This trip, which marks the Crown Prince’s first visit to the U.S. in nearly eight years, reciprocates U.S. President Joe Biden’s visit to Saudi Arabia in mid-2022. The meeting rekindles ties that had cooled following the controversial killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

During his visit, which follows Biden’s trip to multiple Gulf states including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the focus was on restoring relations and addressing escalating geopolitical tensions. While Biden initially sought to pivot U.S. foreign policy towards the Indo-Pacific, the war in Ukraine has redirected attention back to the Gulf, highlighting its importance in global energy supply stability.

New Zealand’s Expanding Trade Ties with the Gulf

For New Zealand, the six Gulf nations that form the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—have become increasingly vital partners. According to recent research, the GCC is now New Zealand’s sixth-largest export market. Exports to this region surpassed $NZ3 billion in the year ending June 2025, a significant increase from $NZ1.75 billion in 2021.

The Gulf states, characterized by their harsh desert climate, have a pressing need for food imports, making New Zealand’s dairy, meat, and fruit products particularly desirable. These products often command premium prices due to the Gulf’s wealth and appetite for quality. The introduction of a new Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE in August is expected to further enhance trade relations.

Recent developments include the completion of a free-trade agreement (FTA) with the GCC, finalized at a ceremony in Qatar in late 2024, which promises to strengthen bilateral trade even more. The ongoing uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariffs has made Gulf markets more essential for New Zealand exporters, solidifying their role in the global supply chain.

Deepening Diplomatic Relations

Diplomatic relations between New Zealand and the Gulf states have been evolving for over two decades. Since the first official visit by then-Foreign Minister Phil Goff in January 2001, there have been over 60 ministerial visits to the GCC. In 2024 alone, New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay made at least five trips focused on securing new trade agreements.

On the other hand, high-level officials from the Gulf have also visited New Zealand extensively, with notable recent visits from the Qatari Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, and the UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. Additionally, New Zealand has maintained embassies in Saudi Arabia since the mid-1980s and opened a mission in Abu Dhabi in 2011, facilitating ongoing diplomatic engagement.

As New Zealand celebrates the tenth anniversary of the UAE embassy in Wellington and prepares for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia in 2027, there is a clear need for a more robust and consistent approach to maintaining these relationships. While ties have been strengthened by individual efforts, a broader institutional strategy could enhance New Zealand’s presence in the region.

The evolving dynamics in the Gulf signal that countries like New Zealand must adapt their foreign policy frameworks to align with the growing importance of these nations on the global stage. As the Gulf states continue to pivot their focus eastward while maintaining ties with the West, New Zealand is well-positioned to capitalize on these developments and solidify its role as a key partner in the region.