France’s Macron to visit UAE, Qatar, Bahrain on Gulf tour to boost economic ties

French President Emmanuel Macron concluded a three-day diplomatic tour of the Gulf states on Wednesday, ending in Qatar after visiting Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. The primary objective of the itinerary was to secure immediate increases in oil and diesel supplies to mitigate soaring domestic fuel prices. These measures aim to quell violent protests that erupted over the weekend in France, driven by rising living costs and energy expenses. During the trip, the French leadership announced that it had secured commitments for approximately 295,000 tonnes of additional diesel monthly from Gulf partners. This volume represents slightly more than ten percent of France’s typical diesel consumption. The tour commenced on Monday in Kuwait, where Macron was received by Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Before departing for the region, the French president addressed the nation late on Sunday. In that address, he condemned recent "unbridled" violence while acknowledging security and intelligence failures. He rejected the resignation of his interior minister despite the arrest of more than 2,500 individuals during riots characterized by looting and arson targeting town halls and shops. Macron stated that the visit was necessary to "secure our supplies," noting that demonstrators had specifically voiced concern regarding fuel costs. On his first day, France and Kuwait signed eight agreements and memoranda of understanding. These documents covered defense, civil aviation, artificial intelligence, investment, health, and academic cooperation. Macron subsequently traveled to Abu Dhabi, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders exchanged a strategic defense partnership framework and signed accords related to energy, artificial intelligence, and advanced technology. A specific intergovernmental agreement was reached concerning cooperation on the Dassault Rafale F5 standard aircraft program. Bilateral trade between the two nations stood at 10.8 billion euros in 2025, making the UAE France’s largest importer in the Gulf region. According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, France supplied 18 percent of the UAE’s arms and defense imports last year, ranking second only to the United States. Following his stay in the UAE, Macron proceeded to Bahrain, where he met King Hamad. Discussions there focused on bilateral relations, energy security, and broader regional developments. Later in the week, the French president arrived in Doha for a state visit. He was greeted with full honors, including cannon salutes and a cavalry procession, before meeting Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, at Lusail Palace. The Qatari foreign ministry indicated that the initial talks would be followed by a strategic dialogue on Wednesday to address regional matters of mutual concern, including energy, economics, investment, and defense. The energy dimension of the tour yielded tangible results. The French presidency confirmed that France secured pledges for an extra 200,000 tonnes of diesel per month from the UAE and Bahrain, split evenly between the two nations. When combined with additional supplies from Saudi Arabia, these commitments total roughly 295,000 tonnes monthly. European diesel prices have climbed to nearly $200 per barrel, a surge attributed to the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran, as well as Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries. The International Energy Agency recently urged member countries to accelerate pledged diesel releases and consider providing additional volumes as global markets tighten. Macron was accompanied on the trip by senior executives from TotalEnergies and Engie, France’s two largest energy groups. TotalEnergies holds a stake in Qatar’s North Field East LNG expansion project, one of the world’s largest gas developments. The French delegation also discussed methods to secure maritime shipments and identify alternative bypass routes for energy exports. This discussion occurred against the backdrop of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for international energy trade. France and Britain have assembled an international mission intended to assist in reopening the strait, primarily through demining operations, once the United States and Iran reach an agreement. However, the two parties remain deadlocked, eight months after hostilities began. The geopolitical context of the visit includes the aftermath of thousands of Iranian missiles and drones targeting Gulf countries. Defense cooperation therefore featured prominently in Macron’s agenda. Constitutional expert Benjamin Morel observed that while the tour might project an image of normalcy, it could also appear out of touch, suggesting a potential power vacuum. Energy analyst Francis Perrin noted that he did not anticipate the visit would immediately impact fuel prices. Meanwhile, authorities in France have implemented curfews in preparation for further protests scheduled for Saturday. The G7, currently chaired by France, agreed in early October to release up to 100 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves to ease market pressure.