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Trump reverses course on Middle East tech policy, but will it be enough to counter China?
President Donald Trump secured $2 trillion worth of deals with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE during his trip to the Middle East last week in what some have argued is a move to counter China’s influence in the region.
While China has increasingly bolstered its commercial ties with top Middle Eastern nations who have remained steadfast in their refusal to pick sides amid growing geopolitical tension between Washington and Beijing, Trump may have taken steps to give the U.S. an edge over its chief competitor.
But concern has mounted after Trump reversed a Biden-era policy – which banned the sale of AI-capable chips to the UAE and Saudi Arabia – that highly coveted U.S. technologies could potentially fall into the hands of Chinese companies, and in extension, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
U.S. President Donald Trump walks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman during a welcoming ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2025. (Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS )
TRUMP SIGNS ‘STRATEGIC ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP’ WITH SAUDI ARABIA
China hawks on both sides of the aisle noted their concern after Trump entered into an agreement with the UAE to build the largest artificial intelligence hub outside the United States, coupled with the tens of billions of dollars’ worth of deals U.S. companies like Nvidia, ChatGPT, Google, Amazon and Qualcomm entered into with state-backed Saudi AI ventures, including direct chip sales.
«This deal could very well be dangerous because we have no clarity on how the Saudis and Emiratis will prevent the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese government, the Chinese manufacturing establishment from getting their hands on these chips,» Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor last week.
«Inevitably, when foreign countries end up with American-made chips, the CCP, the Chinese Communist Party, sooner or later gets ahold of these American chips and their secrets in them,» he said. «That’s why we’ve had such strong restrictions against exporting these chips to other counties.»
Similarly, following the announced deals, Republican chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich., took to X to say, «The CCP is actively seeking indirect access to our top tech. Deals like this require scrutiny and verifiable guardrails.
«We raised concerns about G42 last year for this very reason—and we need safeguards in place before more agreements move forward,» he added in reference to an Emirati AI development holding company.
U.S. President Donald Trump attends a business forum at Qasr Al Watan during the final stop of his Gulf visit, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 16, 2025. (REUTERS/Amr Alfiky)
TRUMP WRAPS MOMENTOUS MIDDLE EAST TRIP WITH ECONOMIC DEALS, SYRIA SANCTIONS RELIEF AND WARNING TO IRAN
By the end of Trump’s trip, the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party had introduced new legislation «to stop advanced U.S. AI chips from falling into the hands of adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).»
«The ambition is understandable – drawing the Gulf states deeper into the U.S. tech ecosystem is a logical way to counterbalance China’s growing influence,» Craig Singleton, China Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies told Fox News Digital. «But the devil is in the details.
«Without rigorous safeguards and clear conditions on technology transfer, there’s a real risk of leakage — whether it’s advanced chips, know-how, or access to AI platforms,» he warned. «If these deals lack meaningful restrictions, they could end up strengthening the very actors they’re meant to contain.»
The Commerce Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s questions on AI security.
While questions remain about the future of AI security, some reports suggested that the expanded U.S. agreements could help cement the U.S. as the global leader in the emerging technology and help shape its landscape.
But China has interests outside of AI in the region that pertain to security, economic and energy sectors – all of which the U.S. has a vested interest in deterring.
United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan greets President Donald Trump at Abu Dhabi International Airport on Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Trump was the first president in nearly 20 years to visit the UAE, which security experts have told Fox News Digital will go a long way to further not only geopolitical goodwill amid major unrest stemming from the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, but it could even further bolster economic and security opportunities between Washington and Abu Dahbi.
«Trump showing up and re-committing American military and economic power to support the UAE’s stability, security, and success in a dangerous neighborhood can pay real dividends going forward,» John Hannah, former national security advisor to Dick Cheney and current Randi & Charles Wax senior fellow at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), told Fox News Digital.
«Since at least the time of President Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran, there’s been a slow, but noticeable drift in UAE strategy away from its deep reliance on the United States toward more of a hedging policy of playing all sides of the global great game, including an increasingly close relationship with China,» he added.
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IN FLIGHT – MAY 14: U.S. President Donald J. Trump speaks to travelling media aboard Air Force One on a range of issues, including Syria, as he flies to Doha, Qatar on May 14, 2025. Trump is on the second day of a multi-nation tour of the Gulf region focused on expanding economic ties and reinforcing security cooperation with key U.S. allies. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Hannah explained that a period of American weariness of the Middle East enabled China to effectively expand its geopolitical interests in the vital region.
The expert pointed out that not only does the UAE host U.S. troops on its soil, but its trade value with the U.S. – even prior to the $1.4 trillion deal it reached earlier this year – was worth some $35 billion annually.
«With a country as influential and resource-rich as the UAE, correcting that unhelpful perception and putting the strategic relationship back on a much more positive dynamic is an important goal,» Hannah said.
Fox News Digital could not immediately reach the UAE foreign ministry for comment.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said the assassination of Charlie Kirk was a sign of a «deep rift» in American society, while offering his condolences to the family of the late conservative activist.
Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi at a forum of Russian experts, Putin addressed the killing, according to Reuters.
«This is a disgusting atrocity, especially since it was broadcast live. We all saw it. It was truly horrific,» Putin said. «First and foremost, I extend my condolences to Mr. Kirk’s family and all his loved ones. We sympathize and empathize.
JD VANCE DECLARES THERE IS ‘NO UNITY’ WITH PEOPLE WHO CELEBRATE CHARLIE KIRK’S ASSASSINATION
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday condemned the killing of Charlie Kirk while speaking to a panel of Russian experts. (Getty Images)
«What happened is a reflection of a deep division within society. In the United States, I don’t believe there is any need to escalate the situation externally, as the country’s political leadership is working to restore order domestically,» he added.
Kirk was shot and killed in September while speaking at Utah Valley University.
His alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, faces seven charges, including aggravated homicide, which carries the potential death penalty; felony discharge of a firearm; obstruction and witness tampering.
Robinson returned to court Monday and is scheduled to appear again Oct. 30. Prosecutors said they had already gathered «voluminous» evidence against him.
TRUMP DEFENDS LABELING ANTIFA A ‘TERRORIST ORGANIZATION’ AS HE TARGETS LEFT-WING EXTREMISM
Charlie Kirk speaks before he is assassinated during Turning Point’s visit to Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, Sept. 10, 2025. (Tess Crowley/The Deseret News via AP)
Kirk’s murder has intensified debate over political violence in the United States. Republican leaders have urged Democrats to moderate their rhetoric toward President Donald Trump and to embrace greater tolerance for opposing views.
In addition to addressing Kirk’s death, Putin responded to Trump’s recent characterization of Russia as a «paper tiger.»
«A paper tiger? Then go deal with this paper tiger,» Putin said. «If we are fighting the entire NATO bloc, moving forward, advancing and feeling confident, and we are still called a paper tiger, then what does that make NATO itself?»
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Last week, Trump predicted Ukraine could reclaim all its territory from Russia before labeling Moscow a «paper tiger.»
vladimir putin,charlie kirk,russia
El canciller alemán Friedrich Merz insistió este jueves desde una cumbre de líderes europeos en Copenhague que apoyará “cualquier vía” que permita utilizar activos rusos congelados para conceder un préstamo de reparación a Ucrania. Merz confió en que la Unión Europea tome una decisión en “semanas”, a pesar de que Bélgica rechaza de plano la propuesta por considerarla una “confiscación” con lagunas legales.
“Apoyaré cualquier vía que permita el uso de activos rusos para seguir ayudando a Ucrania y garantizar que la guerra termine lo antes posible”, declaró Merz a la prensa al término de la cumbre de líderes de la Comunidad Política Europea (CPE) celebrada en la capital danesa.
El mandatario alemán se refirió a la próxima cumbre formal de jefes de Estado y de Gobierno de la Unión, prevista para dentro de tres semanas en Bruselas, y confió en que entonces se tome una “decisión concreta”. Tras dos días de reuniones al máximo nivel en Copenhague, Merz afirmó tener la convicción de que existe un “fuerte acuerdo” tanto en el seno de la UE como de la CPE respecto a seguir esa vía.
“Putin no debería subestimar nuestra determinación. Hay una gran unidad y una firme determinación de contrarrestar juntos esta agresión”, insistió.
La cita danesa fue la primera ocasión para que los líderes europeos examinaran la propuesta que la presidenta de la Comisión Europea, Ursula von der Leyen, circuló entre las capitales: usar los activos soberanos rusos congelados en Bélgica —en el depósito de fondos Euroclear— para conceder un préstamo a Kiev.
Al término de la jornada, en una rueda de prensa junto a la primera ministra danesa, Mette Frederiksen, el presidente de Ucrania, Volodimir Zelensky, celebró que “casi todos los líderes estén planteando el pleno uso de los fondos congelados rusos”.
Frederiksen, por su parte, concedió que el debate del miércoles sobre este asunto fue “intenso” y que afloraron “algunas cuestiones técnicas que deben ser resueltas”, pero al mismo tiempo se mostró “bastante segura” de que sabrán resolverlas. “Es justo que Rusia pague por los daños que ha causado”, zanjó.
El crédito sin intereses tendría un valor de unos 140.000 millones de euros y Ucrania solo tendría que devolverlo si llegara la paz y Moscú indemnizara al país por los daños de la guerra.
El Ejecutivo comunitario y los defensores de la iniciativa sostienen que no se trataría de una “confiscación” de los activos, pero Bélgica niega respaldo al plan. Su primer ministro, Bart de Wever, advirtió este jueves en rueda de prensa sobre el riesgo de trasladar el mensaje de que “un grupo de países pueden, simplemente, decidir políticamente cogerlo (el dinero) y dárselo en un préstamo” a otro país.
«Ceci n’est pas une confiscation» (Esto no es una confiscación), ironizó De Wever, usando el título de uno de los cuadros más conocidos del pintor surrealista belga René Magritte, La traición de las imágenes, en el que se ve una pipa de fumar sobre la frase “Esto no es una pipa”.
El político belga reveló que la víspera trasladó al resto de líderes de la UE sus dudas legales respecto a un proyecto “sin precedentes” y “muy arriesgado”, y criticó a Von der Leyen porque su Ejecutivo no respondió con claridad a todas estas preocupaciones en las semanas en que Bélgica pidió aclaraciones.
Con todo, De Wever dejó la puerta abierta a reconsiderar la situación si de aquí al Consejo Europeo de finales de octubre se responde a las dudas legales y si el resto de países se comprometen a mutualizar los riesgos y garantizan que responderán junto a Bélgica “si algo va mal”.
Por su parte, el primer ministro de Hungría, Viktor Orbán, que por distintas razones mantiene un veto regular contra toda iniciativa europea de apoyo a Ucrania frente a Rusia, criticó con dureza que la UE se plantee usar los fondos en efectivo congelados.
“No somos ladrones, ese dinero no es nuestro”, afirmó Orbán a la prensa a su salida de la cumbre, para insistir en que “de ninguna manera” Hungría formará parte de un proyecto que supone “tocar el dinero de otro”.
International,Relations,Diplomacy / Foreign Policy,Europe
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Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., accused the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of endangering women’s health, saying the agency approved another chemical abortion drug without the thorough safety review it had promised.
Hawley argued the move shows both regulatory failure and the influence of a company that refuses to define «woman» in its materials.
«This is shocking. FDA has just approved ANOTHER chemical abortion drug, when the evidence shows chemical abortion drugs are dangerous and even deadly for the mother. And of course 100% lethal to the child,» he wrote on X on Thursday afternoon.
«FDA had promised to do a top-to-bottom safety review of the chemical abortion drug, but instead they’ve just greenlighted new versions of it for distribution. I have lost confidence in the leadership at FDA.»
PRO-LIFE GROUP URGES SENATE TO PRESS RFK JR. ON ABORTION PILL SAFETY, DEMAND SAFEGUARDS RETURN
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., accused the Food and Drug Administration of endangering women’s health after it approved another chemical abortion drug without what he said was a promised full safety review. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Evita Solutions describes its mission as one to «normalize abortion» and make it «accessible to all.» On its website, the company says it «believes that all people should have access to safe, affordable, high-quality, effective, and compassionate abortion care, regardless of their race, sex, gender, age, sexuality, income, or where they live.
«We know that you can make the best choice for your body.»
According to the FDA, Evita received approval in a Sept. 30 letter obtained by Reuters.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Hawley said the FDA’s decision was even more troubling given its promised safety review has barely begun.
«I just, I can’t figure out what’s happening at the FDA. I’m totally baffled by it,» Hawley said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the FDA and Evita Solutions for comment on the matter.
FDA CHIEF HAS NO ‘PLANS’ FOR ABORTION PILL POLICY CHANGES BUT CONTINUES SAFETY REVIEW
In another post, Hawley blasted the FDA for partnering with a company that «doesn’t even believe there is such a thing as a ‘woman.’»
Evita Solutions now joins GenBioPro in producing the generic version of mifepristone, the abortion pill originally made by Danco Laboratories. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to sustain pregnancy, and is followed by misoprostol to complete the process.
The approval comes as abortion drugs face mounting opposition from conservative lawmakers, religious organizations and pro-life groups.
MORE THAN 20 GOP ATTORNEYS GENERAL CALL ON RFK JR, FDA TO REINSTATE SAFEGUARDS FOR ABORTION DRUGS
Misoprostol, left, and mifepristone, the two drugs used in a medication abortion. (Robyn Bech/AFP via Getty Images)
Religious groups like Inspire Investing and Alliance Defending Freedom have campaigned against the drug, while the Restoration of America Foundation (ROAF) has pressed lawmakers for accountability.
Last month, ROAF called on the Senate Finance Committee to hold Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accountable at a hearing, demanding answers about the removal of safety protocols for the abortion pill mifepristone.
In a letter obtained by Fox News Digital, ROAF warned that the rollback leaves women more vulnerable and shifts costs to taxpayers. The group said the Biden-era changes endanger women by allowing abortion pills to be prescribed via telehealth and sent through the mail.
Hawley said the FDA should restore the safeguards put in place under the Trump administration.
«What needs to happen is the FDA needs to get in line with the president’s policy and put back into place the safety regulations President Trump had. Ditch the Biden approach and go back to President Trump’s approach,» Hawley said.
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Under the Biden administration, the FDA for the first time allowed telehealth prescribing and mail-order delivery of abortion pills. Previously, the agency required mifepristone to be dispensed in person to screen for complications such as ectopic pregnancy.
Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Baehr and Reuters contributed to this report.
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