Macron starts Gulf tour seeking diesel and oil to ease fuel prices
French President Emmanuel Macron began a four-nation Gulf tour in Kuwait on Monday. His office said he is seeking commitments on diesel and oil volumes to help lower fuel prices in France. One expert said the trip, coming after weekend riots, could look out of touch at home.
French President Emmanuel Macron began a three-day Gulf tour on Monday to secure diesel and oil supplies and bring down fuel prices in France, AFP and Les Echos reported. He is visiting Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar from October 19 to 21, Les Echos reported. In Kuwait, he was welcomed by the emir, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, AFP reported.
Macron arrived just hours after a televised address on the weekend's riots and looting, AFP reported. Before leaving, he said the trip was needed to "secure our supplies," pointing out that protesters had voiced "concern" about fuel prices, according to AFP.
The Élysée Palace said "the goal is to secure a certain number of commitments" on diesel and oil volumes, AFP reported. A presidential adviser said the aim is extra volumes and more supplies for the French, with an indirect effect on prices, Les Echos reported. Talks will also cover ways to secure shipping and find alternative routes for liquid fuels, AFP and Les Echos reported. Senior executives from TotalEnergies and Engie are traveling with him, AFP and Les Echos reported.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted during the US-Iran war, and Iran has stepped up attacks on merchant ships in recent days, Les Echos reported. Eric Alter, dean of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy in Abu Dhabi, said France will likely ask for supplies routed through the Emirati port of Fujairah and will probably get a favorable answer, according to Les Echos. Researcher Emma Soubrier said Gulf producers have many clients competing for the same volumes, Les Echos reported.
Not everyone expects quick results. Constitutional expert Benjamin Morel said the tour "may give an impression of normality" but "may also appear out of touch and suggest a kind of power vacuum," according to AFP. Francis Perrin, an energy expert at the IRIS think tank, said he did not expect the visit to affect fuel prices, AFP reported.
The tour also aims to strengthen defense and security ties, AFP and Les Echos reported. French Rafale jets based in Abu Dhabi have helped defend Emirati airspace from Iranian attacks, Les Echos reported.
What we know: Macron is touring Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar through Wednesday to seek diesel and oil commitments.
What we don't: Whether any Gulf state will commit to new fuel volumes for France.
Where outlets agree AFP and Les Echos report that Macron began a Gulf tour on Monday to secure diesel and oil supplies, traveling with TotalEnergies and Engie executives.
Where they differ The cited reports agree on the key facts so far.