UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has kicked off his first official visit to the Middle East since taking office in July 2024, travelling to the UAE and Saudi Arabia with a dual mandate: seal a landmark Gulf trade deal and push for an end to the war in Gaza.
Starmer Meets Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi
Starmer's first stop was Abu Dhabi, where he held a bilateral meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The meeting focused on expanding the already substantial economic relationship between the two countries — UK-UAE bilateral trade is currently valued at around £23 billion — and on deepening cooperation in research, development, and innovation.
From the UAE, the Prime Minister flew to Saudi Arabia to brief Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. UK trade with Saudi Arabia stands at approximately £17 billion, and London sees Riyadh as a central pillar of any comprehensive Gulf economic partnership.
GCC Free Trade Agreement: £8.6 Billion Opportunity
The centrepiece of the trip is the push to finalise a GCC Free Trade Agreement covering all six Gulf Cooperation Council members: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Economists estimate a successful deal could boost UK-Gulf bilateral trade by 16 per cent, adding an estimated £8.6 billion annually.
"The opportunities are enormous in this part," Starmer told Reuters ahead of the visit, pointing to co-operation in research, technology, and new economic sectors as key areas for near-term progress.
Concluding an FTA would also mark a significant political win for the Labour government, which has yet to sign any new free trade agreements since returning to power.
Gaza Ceasefire and Regional Stability
Beyond trade, Starmer's agenda includes the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Britain is pressing for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all remaining hostages, and a rapid acceleration of humanitarian aid into the territory. The talks are intended to underscore the UK's commitment to Middle East stability at a moment of continued regional volatility.
The visit follows a series of earlier trips by British trade ministers to the Gulf, reinforcing that London views the Middle East as a strategic priority — economically and diplomatically — within a shifting global order.
