Sisi and Trump inaugurate new phase of US-Egyptian relations

Egypt Today Managing Editor Mohamed Mahmoud, reporting from Washington as part of an Egyptian press delegation accompanying President Sisi.

“Egypt and the U.S. should fight terrorism, we love Egypt, we love the U.S.,” chanted a group of American-Egyptians outside the White House as they waited for President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi’s arrival Monday.

“We came from different states to show our support for the relationship between the U.S. and Egypt, which is very important for the two nations,” said 28-year-old Mahmoud Mostafa.

On Monday afternoon, Sisi received a warm welcome from U.S. President Donald Trump who took him on a tour of the White House.

“The body language of Trump during his meeting with Sisi says a lot, it seems he really has political will to push U.S.-Egyptian relations to a new phase that would deepen cooperation on several levels,” said Heba Al-Qodsy, an international affairs expert based in Washington.

Al-Qodsy added that the pillars of the U.S. government are considering the visit a point of transformation in relations with the most the most populated country in the Arab world.

“It’s great to be with the president of Egypt. And I will tell you, President Sisi has been somebody that’s been very close to me from the first time I met him. I met him during the campaign, and at that point there were two of us, and we both met. And hopefully you like me a lot more,” Trump said during remarks with Sisi in the Oval Office.

“I just want to let everybody know, in case there was any doubt, that we are very much behind President Sisi. He’s done a fantastic job in a very difficult situation. We are very much behind Egypt and the people of Egypt, we have strong backing.”

Trump also said that Cairo and Washington plan to intensify military cooperation between the two countries and on counter terrorism in the Middle East and globally.

“We are building up our military to a level that will be the highest—probably the highest that we’ve ever had—plane orders, ship orders, aircraft carrier orders,” Trump said.

The Egyptian president also signaled that his visit is considered an end to a decade of tension between Egypt and the U.S.

“Allow me to extend my thanks and appreciation for your kind invitation, actually, this is my first state visit to the United States since my inauguration in office. And, as a matter of fact, this is the first visit in eight years from an Egyptian president to the United States,” said Sisi.

Sisi promised during the remarks that his government will work closely with Washington to fight terrorism and defeat radical ideology.

“I’ve had a deep appreciation for you, especially as you are standing very strong in the counterterrorism field to counter this evil ideology that is claiming innocent lives, that is bringing devastation to communities and nations, and that is terrorizing innocent people,” Sisi added.

The Egyptian president pointed out that Cairo would work together with Washington to revive the peace process in the Middle East and find a long-lasting solution for the Palestinian case.

“You will find me supporting you very strongly and very earnestly in finding a solution to the problem of the century. And I’m quite confident that you will be able to bring a solution to this issue,” Sisi said.

In a meeting headed by the two leaders and attended by several senior officials from both sides, Sisi explained the recent economic reforms that were adopted by the Egyptian government and its effort to improve the investment climate. The Egyptian president called on American companies to increase their investments in Egypt.

Minister of International Cooperation and Investment Sahar Nasr told Egypt Today after the meeting in Washington that her visit includes meeting representatives from 100 American companies to present investment opportunities in Egypt.

“Soon we will have more American investments in Egypt in the energy, oil and transportation sectors,” Nasr said.

She added that the government is ready to provide incentives for all American businessmen in order to attract more investments to Egypt.

Following the talks at the White House, Sisi held a meeting with the board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The meeting was hosted by Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue who expressed his support for increase in U.S. investment in Egypt.

Sisi is expected to have a busy schedule on Tuesday as he will meet King Abdullah II of Jordan, the U.S. National Security advisor Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, members of Congress and the Senate, and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.