Starmer Visits Saudi Arabia and UAE for Trade Talks

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's recent trip to Saudi Arabia and the UAE aims to strengthen economic ties, with a focus on enhancing trade and investment opportunities. During his visit, Starmer emphasized promoting economic growth, which he described as a top priority, while facing pressure from human rights advocates to address concerns over Saudi Arabia's use of the death penalty. His engagement with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman comes amidst significant geopolitical changes, including the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, which Starmer welcomed as a move against a brutal regime. Starmer's government is keen on building partnerships to drive high-quality growth and has highlighted the potential benefits for the North of England through enhanced international connections. Despite his commitment to economic ties, human rights groups have urged him to raise issues surrounding executions and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The trip represents a shift in Starmer's approach compared to his previous criticisms of the former government's dealings with authoritarian leaders.