Chart of the week: Oil, gas and metals drive US-Gulf trade ties, as Trump tariffs reshape global relations


Fadah Jassem
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Trade between the US and the Gulf will probably remain anchored in energy, even as new tariffs reshape America’s relationships with countries around the world. The latest data shows oil, gas and metals continue to flow from the Gulf to the US, while the region's imports from the US remain modest by comparison.

The value of US imports from Gulf states increased in 2024. Mineral products, largely oil and gas, dominated the list, totalling $14.95 billion. Metals followed at $3.52 billion and chemicals were at $2.79 billion, while precious metals and machinery made up smaller but notable imports.

Gulf imports from the US followed a similar pattern in 2023, albeit on a much smaller scale. Mineral products again led the way at $16.25 million, followed by metals at $12.36 million and chemicals at $5.68 million. Precious metals and machinery imports were comparatively smaller.

The structure of the trade relationship highlights the continued strategic value of energy, even as Gulf states look to diversify their economies. Such initiatives include Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s investments in renewables, technology and infrastructure.

Hydrocarbons continue to underpin the majority of trade, with the Gulf remaining a critical supplier for the US, not just in volume, but in ensuring the stability of the global energy market.

Gulf avoids heavy levies

On April 2, 2025, US President Donald Trump issued a sweeping executive order imposing a 10 per cent duty on goods imported into the country. That reached up to 50 per cent for products from nations with significant US trade deficits.

The Middle East, and Gulf states in particular, have been spared the worst. The UAE and Saudi Arabia will only be subject to 10 per cent tariffs, markedly lower than the duties imposed on Jordan (20 per cent), Algeria (30 per cent), Libya (31 per cent), Iraq (39 per cent) and Syria (41 per cent).

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Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

GROUPS AND FIXTURES

Group A
UAE, Italy, Japan, Spain

Group B
Egypt, Iran, Mexico, Russia

Tuesday
4.15pm
: Italy v Japan
5.30pm: Spain v UAE
6.45pm: Egypt v Russia
8pm: Iran v Mexico

US PGA Championship in numbers

Joost Luiten produced a memorable hole in one at the par-three fourth in the first round.

To date, the only two players to win the PGA Championship after winning the week before are Rory McIlroy (2014 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational) and Tiger Woods (2007, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational). Hideki Matsuyama or Chris Stroud could have made it three.

Number of seasons without a major for McIlroy, who finished in a tie for 22nd.

4 Louis Oosthuizen has now finished second in all four of the game's major championships.

In the fifth hole of the final round, McIlroy holed his longest putt of the week - from 16ft 8in - for birdie.

For the sixth successive year, play was disrupted by bad weather with a delay of one hour and 43 minutes on Friday.

Seven under par (64) was the best round of the week, shot by Matsuyama and Francesco Molinari on Day 2.

Number of shots taken by Jason Day on the 18th hole in round three after a risky recovery shot backfired.

Jon Rahm's age in months the last time Phil Mickelson missed the cut in the US PGA, in 1995.

10 Jimmy Walker's opening round as defending champion was a 10-over-par 81.

11 The par-four 11th coincidentally ranked as the 11th hardest hole overall with a scoring average of 4.192.

12 Paul Casey was a combined 12 under par for his first round in this year's majors.

13 The average world ranking of the last 13 PGA winners before this week was 25. Kevin Kisner began the week ranked 25th.

14 The world ranking of Justin Thomas before his victory.

15 Of the top 15 players after 54 holes, only Oosthuizen had previously won a major.

16 The par-four 16th marks the start of Quail Hollow's so-called "Green Mile" of finishing holes, some of the toughest in golf.

17 The first round scoring average of the last 17 major champions was 67.2. Kisner and Thorbjorn Olesen shot 67 on day one at Quail Hollow.

18 For the first time in 18 majors, the eventual winner was over par after round one (Thomas shot 73).

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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5. Zakat 

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Updated: April 08, 2025, 10:17 AM`