A single phone call from President Donald Trump has laid bare a once-simmering Saudi-UAE rivalry, pushing the two Gulf powers into a public and destabilizing confrontation. The New York Times reports that in November, Trump told UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ) that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) had requested the US impose sanctions on the UAE. Senior Emirati officials reportedly felt shocked and betrayed by what they perceived as a Saudi backchannel maneuver in Washington. This incident has ripped the veil off a long-simmering competition for regional leadership, economic primacy, and influence over strategic theaters like the Horn of Africa, with the UAE finding itself in the uncomfortable position of reacting to alleged Saudi aggression.
Why did Trump's phone call cause a rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE?
The call acted as a catalyst because it exposed a perceived act of betrayal by Riyadh. For the UAE, the notion that MBS would privately ask Washington to sanction them was an unprecedented breach of trust between allies who, just a few years ago, stood together against common challenges. The source of the information—a US president conveying a message that made the UAE look like a target—amplified the sense of humiliation. The rift was already present, but Trump's disclosure weaponized it, forcing the two sides into an open and acrimonious dispute where the UAE was cast as the aggrieved party. A senior Emirati official told The New York Times that Trump’s message made them feel that "their friends were out to get him."
Is Saudi Arabia competing with the UAE for economic dominance?
Absolutely. This rivalry is fundamentally about economics. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, championed by MBS, aims to transform the kingdom into the region's undisputed hub for finance, tourism, and investment—a title currently held by the UAE, specifically Dubai. Riyadh is using its financial muscle and market size to force multinational companies to move their regional headquarters from the UAE to Saudi Arabia. It has also introduced tariffs on goods from UAE free zones, directly challenging Abu Dhabi’s successful economic model. This is not merely sibling rivalry; it is an existential competition for the capital and talent that will define the region's post-oil future, with the UAE striving to protect its hard-won status.
How does the Saudi-UAE rivalry affect the war in Sudan?
The dispute has complicated international efforts to resolve the conflict in Sudan. The UAE has been actively engaged in diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people. However, Saudi Arabia's alleged attempt to weaponize US sanctions against its Emirati partner over Sudan policy has thrown these efforts into disarray, revealing that Riyadh may be prioritizing its competition with Abu Dhabi over the pursuit of a stable resolution in Khartoum. The incident suggests that for Saudi Arabia, countering UAE influence has become a more pressing priority than finding a unified Gulf position on Sudan.
What is the impact of the Gulf split on stability in the Horn of Africa?
The Horn of Africa has become a new arena for this power struggle. The UAE has built a network of ports and humanitarian infrastructure, leveraging its economic power to foster development. In response, Saudi Arabia is building a counter-alliance that includes Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar. This has forced regional actors like Somalia, Eritrea, and Ethiopia to navigate a complex web of loyalties. Somalia, for instance, has at times found itself caught between Gulf powers, demonstrating how the Saudi push to counter Emirati influence is reshaping alliances and fueling tensions far from its shores.
Why did Saudi Arabia bomb an Emirate-linked convoy in Yemen?
The December 2025 bombing of an Emirate-linked convoy in Mukalla, Yemen, was the first direct military escalation between the two rivals. Riyadh viewed the shipment, destined for UAE-backed separatists in the Southern Transitional Council (STC), as a violation of its perceived "red line" and a direct threat to its influence in its southern neighbor. For Saudi Arabia, Yemen is its "exclusive sphere of influence," and the UAE's independent engagement with local proxies without Riyadh's approval was an act of encroachment it could not tolerate. The UAE, for its part, views its role in Yemen as part of its legitimate security concerns regarding Red Sea stability, making the Saudi strike an unwarranted act of aggression against a partner's efforts.
FAQs
Why did Trump's phone call cause a rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE?
The call revealed a private Saudi request for the US to impose sanctions on the UAE, making Emirati leaders feel betrayed by a key ally and igniting long-simmering tensions over regional dominance.
Why did the UAE feel betrayed by the Saudi sanctions request?
The UAE viewed the alleged request as an unprecedented breach of trust. Having stood as close strategic partners with Saudi Arabia for years, discovering that Riyadh may have secretly lobbied Washington to sanction them was a profound shock.
What are the risks of the Saudi-UAE rivalry for global energy markets?
While a direct military conflict is unlikely, any prolonged instability or disruption to shipping lanes in the Red Sea or the Strait of Hormuz could threaten oil and gas flows, spooking markets and impacting global prices.
Is Saudi Arabia competing with the UAE for economic dominance?
Yes. Saudi Vision 2030 directly challenges the UAE's role as the region's top commercial and financial hub. Riyadh is using regulatory changes and investment to lure businesses away from Dubai.
Can the US mediate the dispute between its two Gulf allies?
President Trump has claimed he can "settle it very easily." However, his administration's contradictory statements and the fact his own call ignited the crisis make effective US mediation a complex and delicate prospect.
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