Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
US President Donald Trump has described President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as a friend and said he would love to have him at the White House in the near future, underscoring the close political relationship between Washington and Cairo.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said he holds President Sisi in high regard and expressed his desire to welcome him to Washington, though he did not specify a date for a potential visit. His remarks were widely interpreted as a signal of continued US engagement with Egypt, which remains a key regional ally and a central player in Middle Eastern diplomacy.
In the same set of comments, Trump addressed questions about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that no meeting had yet been scheduled between them. According to Trump, Netanyahu is eager to meet, but the timing has not been finalized. He indicated that a meeting is more likely to take place in Florida rather than in Washington, suggesting an informal setting rather than an official White House visit at this stage.
Trump’s comments come amid heightened diplomatic activity related to the Middle East, particularly efforts to manage ongoing tensions and conflicts in the region. Egypt has long played a mediating role in Palestinian-Israeli affairs, leveraging its political ties with both Washington and regional actors.
The relationship between Trump and Sisi has been marked by public expressions of mutual respect since Trump’s first term in office. US officials have frequently highlighted Egypt’s role in regional stability, counterterrorism efforts, and mediation initiatives, while Cairo has emphasized its strategic partnership with Washington.
In this context, Sharm el-Sheikh has previously served as a venue for high-level international diplomacy. The resort city hosted a landmark international summit that resulted in the signing of the Gaza agreement between President Trump and President Sisi, an accord aimed at halting the fighting in the Gaza Strip and opening a political pathway toward resolving a conflict that has persisted for years.
Trump’s latest remarks reflect the balancing act facing US diplomacy in the region, as Washington seeks to maintain strong ties with Egypt while managing its relationship with Israel. While Netanyahu has publicly expressed interest in meeting the US president, Trump’s comments suggest that no immediate plans are in place, leaving the timing and format of such an encounter open.
As regional developments continue to unfold, any potential meetings between Trump and Middle Eastern leaders are likely to be closely watched for signals about future US policy and the prospects for renewed diplomatic momentum in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
