Macron Visits Gulf States to Secure Fuel Supplies
Source reports published 20 Oct 2026, 12:02 am – 10:00 am AEST
President Macron initiated a three-day tour of the Gulf region, aiming to secure oil and diesel supplies to mitigate rising fuel prices and address domestic protests sparked by the cost-of-living crisis. France is also seeking to bolster defence ties and expand exports of military equipment to the region.
What happened
- President Emmanuel Macron began a three-day tour of the Gulf, starting with Kuwait, to secure fuel supplies amid a global crisis.
- This followed a weekend of violent protests in France triggered by soaring living costs and disruptions to fuel supplies due to the ongoing conflict in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Macron met with the Emir of Kuwait and signed eight agreements covering defence, artificial intelligence, investment, and more.
- He then visited Abu Dhabi to meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reaffirming cooperation in energy, technology, and AI.
- France’s largest exporter from the Gulf, the UAE, accounts for 10.8 billion euros in bilateral trade.
- Analyst Andreas Krieg noted a shift in geopolitical influence, with Europe and the Gulf facing similar challenges regarding dependence on American security decisions.
- France urgently needs new energy suppliers, with the UAE committing to supply 100,000 tonnes of diesel monthly, Bahrain offering a similar supply, and Saudi Arabia providing 95,000 tonnes in October and November through TotalEnergies.
- Simultaneously, France is seeking to increase defence exports to the Gulf, particularly to Saudi Arabia, which is engaged in conflict with the Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen.
- Macron has stated intentions to deploy military means to protect Saudi Arabian oil installations and airports, including the Yanbu Red Sea oil terminal, from attacks.
Original reporting
- France 24 English: Macron kicks off three-day Gulf tour, seeks securing fuel supplies amid crisis
2026-10-19T14:02:57+00:00 - Al Jazeera: As Macron visits Gulf, can France forge its own energy-for-security future?
2026-10-20T00:00:00+00:00