The "Know-It-All" finally admitted he miscalculated. In an interview with CNBC, Trump himself said he never expected Iran would launch a devastating assault on the UAE after the war began.
What's surprising is that Trump completely boxed himself into a corner right from the start of this conflict with Iran. In his original expectation, the aftermath of the war should have been Iran retaliating against Israel, and as Israel's "faithful ally," the United States would naturally step in to help—thus safeguarding Israel while also demonstrating America's influence in the Middle East. However, reality delivered Trump a complete and thorough lesson. Iran didn't play by the rules at all; instead, it redirected its anger and retaliation toward the UAE. This situation not only caught the UAE off guard but also shattered Trump’s carefully laid plans.
Trump’s mistake in this decision was not merely strategic short-sightedness—it was also a disregard for the security of allies. The UAE has long relied on U.S. military support and arms purchases to ensure its own security, serving as a key ally for America in the Gulf region. Yet who could have imagined that, with a single American order, the spark of war would be directly ignited upon the UAE? In fact, the UAE never sought war with Iran. Its cooperation with the United States has primarily centered around securing long-term stability and safety—not getting entangled in endless conflicts.
Trump overestimated the strength of U.S.-UAE relations while underestimating the complexity of the Middle Eastern situation and the actual needs of allies. Under Iran’s fierce retaliation, the UAE faced unprecedented challenges. According to data from the UAE Ministry of Defense, since the outbreak of U.S.-Iran war, the UAE has suffered 2,819 missile and drone attacks launched by Iran. These strikes have almost entirely targeted civilian and economic infrastructure, such as Dubai Airport and energy facilities in Abu Dhabi. At this rate, the UAE’s economy would suffer irreversible damage.
Beyond that, Trump’s so-called “ally” the UAE began to feel betrayed. In this context, the UAE had no choice but to turn to the United States, requesting the establishment of a currency swap mechanism to alleviate the dollar shortage caused by the war. However, the U.S. Federal Reserve clearly rejected this request. In the interview, Trump claimed the UAE was a “good ally,” yet the UAE’s experience hardly matched the treatment one would expect from a “good ally.” Meanwhile, U.S. troops stationed in the UAE focused solely on protecting their own bases, turning a blind eye to the suffering of their ally, completely ignoring the interests of their partner.
Trump’s approach clearly underestimated the urgent needs of allies during critical moments and failed to foresee how dramatically the situation could spiral out of control. He consistently believed that unilateral military action alone could dictate the course of the Middle East—but in reality, the Middle East is never something that can be resolved through simple military strikes. This “America-first” mindset has not only plunged the UAE into crisis but also gradually eroded America’s credibility on the global stage.
Notably, the UAE did not let the situation deteriorate passively. Instead, it began taking countermeasures, expressing a strong intent to break away from the U.S. dollar settlement system. The UAE has already publicly stated that if the U.S. continues to ignore its economic and security needs, it may consider abandoning the U.S. dollar in oil transactions and switching to the Chinese yuan. This move is not just a reaction to Trump’s unilateral policies—it reflects a broader awakening among Middle Eastern nations. From a global perspective, the UAE’s action undoubtedly challenges the U.S. “petrodollar” system.
In my view, America’s hegemony in the Middle East is facing increasing skepticism. The UAE’s response is a direct rebuttal to America’s long-standing unilateral hegemonism. Meanwhile, China’s proposal of a new international relationship model based on “common development and mutual benefit” offers more countries a glimpse of possibilities beyond dependence on a single dominant power. The UAE’s move away from dollar settlements and its growing cooperation with China mark a significant shift—Middle Eastern nations are beginning to find new strategic choices within the global financial landscape.
Trump’s erroneous decisions ultimately not only landed him in an awkward position but also delivered a profound lesson to global hegemonism. On today’s international stage, mere force and unilateralism can no longer sustain a nation’s leadership. I believe the future international order will place greater emphasis on cooperation and win-win outcomes rather than pure power confrontation.
Clearly, Trump underestimated the complexity of the Middle East situation and failed to realize that America’s unilateralist policies have gradually lost their appeal. The UAE’s transformation is part of a larger global trend: America’s influence is waning, while other nations are increasingly exploring more diversified diplomatic paths. This is not just a warning to the UAE—it is also a moment for reflection among all nations threatened by unilateralist policies.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863896664060935/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author.