The United States helped Iraq in defeating terror group the Islamic State (ISIS) and toppling former dictator Saddam Hussein and now “we are working on building a strong relationship that is based on joint interests for Iraq and the United States, that is based on economic interests for the better future of the Iraqi people and the United States people,” said Kadhimi.
“We’re making very big oil deals. Our oil companies are making massive deals, that’s basically the story,” said Trump. He reiterated a common refrain of his that the US was being taken advantage of, but said now he’s “very happy” with their relationship.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said yesterday he expects to sign a deal with US oil giant Chevron. He gave no details of the prospective agreement.
Kadhimi, who left for Washington Tuesday, met earlier with American business leaders and US Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette. He expressed his government’s “willingness to remove all obstacles before the work of American companies in Iraq” and asked for help from US banks in developing the Iraqi banking system, according to a statement from his office.
Brouillette describe it as an “exciting day.” Trump’s administration and the private sector “stand ready to help Iraq achieve energy independence and bolster their national security,” he tweeted.
Asked about attacks on US troops and interests in Iraq by Iranian-backed militia groups, Trump touted the strength of American armed forces, saying “When somebody hits us, we hit back harder than they hit us. So we handle it.”
He declined to give a timeline for the withdrawal of some 5,000 US troops currently in Iraq, saying they will “be leaving shortly,” and deferred to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who said they’ll depart “as soon as we complete the mission.”
PKK: Trump says willing to help
Trump said that if Kadhimi asked for help ending Turkey’s military attacks on Iraqi soil, he would “take a look.”
“It’s a very, very unstable part of the world, but we’re here to help and because of the relationship we would certainly be willing to lend you the kind of support you need,” Trump told Kadhimi.
Turkey has intensified its campaign against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the Kurdistan Region mountains this summer, carrying out frequent airstrikes and sending troops across the border. Eight civilians have been killed in Turkish strikes and Baghdad has demanded Turkey keep out of Iraq.
“Definitely the Turkish attacks are not accepted,” said Kadhimi, also noting that launching attacks against neighbour states from within Iraq’s borders is contrary to the constitution.
“We are entering dialogue with Turkey to rectify this situation and I look forward to solving this problem with Turkey and getting our neighbours, the Turks, to understand Iraq’s circumstances,” said Kadhimi.
Trump volunteered to raise the issue with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with whom he as “a very good relationship.”
Updated at 9:23 pm
