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Asean will benefit from breakthrough trade deal between UK and Gulf states

Britain and the Middle East states have a shared interest in the Asian region

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    • A cargo ship docks at the Dammam Port in Saudi Arabia. Middle Eastern nations have been doubling down on trade with Asean and the broader Asian continent.
    • A cargo ship docks at the Dammam Port in Saudi Arabia. Middle Eastern nations have been doubling down on trade with Asean and the broader Asian continent. PHOTO: REUTERS

    Andrew Hammond

    Published Wed, May 27, 2026 · 07:30 AM

    AMID the world’s focus on US-Iran negotiations to end their war, a very different breakthrough in the Middle East – which could have major implications for Asean and Asia – has flown under the radar.

    The UK announced last Thursday (May 21) a trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which comprises Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.

    This group of Middle East economies had a total gross domestic product of around US$2 trillion in 2022. That is forecast to grow to a combined US$6 trillion by 2050, said the World Bank.

    UK economyAseanAsia-PacificGulf Cooperation CouncilTrade

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