President Donald Trump welcomed two world leaders to the White House this week. On Tuesday, he met with the king of Jordan to discuss the future of Gaza and the president’s proposal to relocate Palestinians to the Arab country. The king was in a tough position and appeared to play it safe during the joint press briefing. On Thursday, the commander-in-chief met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India to talk about tariffs and strengthening relations between the two countries. The meetings were quite different from each other – as far as the public knows – yet still had the same air of tension.
Trump Presses Jordan’s King to Take Gaza’s Palestinians
Before reporters in the Oval Office on February 11, Trump sat beside King Abdullah II of Jordan and iterated his plan to take over Gaza and redevelop the territory. The big question was whether Jordan would allow some Palestinians to seek refuge there. Deflecting, the king said that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza should be a priority over the relocation efforts. He seemed reticent, apparently biting his tongue to avoid a public confrontation.
It seemed clear Abdullah was unwilling to agree to the president’s proposal. Jordan is already home to millions of Palestinians, and his parliament introduced a bill last week that would prohibit them from resettling in the country. However, the king said that Jordan would be willing to take in up to 2,000 Palestinian children who need medical care.
The president appeared appreciative of this offer and said, “That’s really a beautiful gesture. That’s really good, and we appreciate it. … That’s music to my ears.” Despite saying on Monday that the US would withhold aid from Jordan and Egypt if neither complied with relocation efforts, Trump, while seated next to the king, said, “We contribute a lot of money to Jordan and to Egypt, by the way. A lot to both. … I don’t have to threaten that, I think we’re above that.” Jordan reportedly receives nearly $1.5 billion in annual aid from the US.
Abdullah seemed to choose his words carefully, placating the president while trying to show a willingness to work with the US. “With all the challenges that we have in the Middle East, I finally see somebody who can take us across the finish line to bring stability, peace and prosperity to all of us in the region. … It is our collective responsibility in the Middle East to continue to work with you, to support you, to achieve those lofty goals.” Asked whether he thought the US should take control of Gaza, he was reluctant to answer and suggested waiting to see what Egypt’s plan would be before giving a definitive answer.
The president shared no new information on his strategy to relocate two million Palestinians and redevelop the war-torn territory. When a reporter asked how much it would cost the US to take control of Gaza, the president said, “Nothing. … We’re going to take it. We’re going to hold it. We’re going to cherish it.” He boasted of all the jobs that would be created throughout the region if the US had control and rebuilt it. “I think it could be a diamond,” he said. At one point, he announced that if Hamas did not release hostages by Saturday at noon, as promised, “all bets were off.”
Where this situation goes next is anybody’s guess. However, Trump did not seem concerned and appeared confident, as usual, that it would all work out. Abdullah, on the other hand, looked visibly uncomfortable and nervous, blinking excessively and often shifting in his chair.
Egypt is apparently working on a “comprehensive vision” to reconstruct the Gaza Strip, a plan that supposedly guarantees Palestinians the right to stay on their land.
US and India Appear to Strengthen Relations
On February 13, Trump met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, America’s largest trading partner. He and Modi have a strong rapport from many high-profile meetings and joint appearances over the years. Still, the president has, in the past, accused India of using high tariffs to gain an advantage over the US. But, at Thursday’s press conference with the two leaders, he said the US planned to implement reciprocal tariffs, matching India’s tax rates on US imports. Additionally, both agreed that India would import more US oil and gas to decrease the trade deficit between the two countries.
Another notable takeaway: “Starting this year,” said Trump, “we will be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars. We are also paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F35, Stealth fighters.” He also said his administration had approved the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-born Canadian citizen, who was arrested in the US about a year after playing a significant role in facilitating the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. PM Modi praised the president’s decision and suggested it was a step toward future cooperation on counterterrorism.
On immigration, Modi said, “Those who stay in other countries illegally do not have any legal right to be there. … We have always said that those who are verified and are truly the citizens of India – if they live in the US illegally – India is ready to take them back.”
The fight between Ukraine and Russia was discussed, too. The commander-in-chief boasted about his “lengthy and productive” phone call on Wednesday (February 12) with Vladimir Putin, Russia’s leader. On his Truth Social platform, the president had said the two agreed to “start negotiations immediately.” Later that day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he and Trump had spoken and discussed “lasting, reliable peace.” A meeting between Zelensky and Vice President JD Vance is expected to happen over the weekend at the annual Munich Security Conference in Germany.
Overall, the talks between Trump and Modi seemed productive. “We have great unity,” said the president. “We have a great friendship – he and I and our countries. I think it’s only going to get closer. But it’s very important that we remain united as countries. We are friends, and we are going to stay that way.”
Both leaders who met with the president seemed to placate him and walk a thin line. Trump, however, appeared to know everything would go just as he wanted. That’s not possible, of course, but the body language of all three leaders said much more than their words.
