Emmanuel Macron Visits Gulf Nations to Secure Energy Supplies

President Emmanuel Macron began a three-day tour of Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar on October 19 to secure additional diesel and petrol supplies. The mission follows violent nationwide protests and looting in France driven by an energy crisis and rising living costs. Macron is accompanied by executives from TotalEnergies and Engie to negotiate hydrocarbon volumes and alternative transport routes, as the US-Iran war has disrupted shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz.

In Kuwait, Macron met with the emir to discuss health, infrastructure, and defense. In the United Arab Emirates, he is negotiating a 50 billion euro investment agreement and discussing artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. The tour also includes stops in Bahrain and Qatar, where Macron will attend a climate event and discuss economic cooperation.

While the president travels, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot is visiting Saudi Arabia to reaffirm solidarity following Houthi attacks on the kingdom. France has already deployed military assets to protect the Yanbu oil terminal. Domestically, Macron continues to face pressure after more than 2,000 people were arrested during recent unrest, though he has refused the resignation of his interior minister.