Iraqi prime minister says country is open for U.S. business, Trump focuses on oil

In a much anticipated first visit to Washington, Iraq’s new prime minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, visited the White House on Thursday for strategic dialogues about energy, trade, and U.S. troops in Iraq.

President Trump said, during the meeting, that American companies were involved in building out Iraq's oil industry. Al-Kadhimi said that his country was open for American business interests and future investments.

Prior to the meeting, Trump told reporters that the U.S. had very few troops left on the ground in Iraq, but that America would be there to assist Iraq if the neighboring aggressor Iran should try anything hostile. 

The visit between the heads of state followed Wednesday announcements of significant strides in key areas.

“We anticipate announcements on energy deals between U.S. companies and Iraqi Government shortly,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said while appearing alongside Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein in Washington. 

Among those deals, Hussein told reporters, is a plan to allow Chevron to explore for oil inside certain areas of Iraq.

Additionally, Pompeo announced, the United States has pledged an extra $204 million “for lifesaving food, safe drinking water, and health care for the Iraqi people.”

Across town from the State Department, at the Pentagon on Wednesday, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper convened with Iraqi defense minister Jumaah Saadoon.

“Both leaders reaffirmed the continued cooperation between the Iraqi Security Forces and the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and their commitment to the ultimate objective of a secure, stable and prosperous Iraq,” Pentagon spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman said.

Al-Kadhimi's visit comes at a crucial time for both Washington and Baghdad.

As the U.S. heads into a tense national election, President Trump wants to show that he met his 2016 campaign promise to bring American troops home from Iraq after 17 years at war. Al-Kadhimi, who assumed power only in April and during tumultuous times, wants to achieve concrete steps toward overcoming economic, political and security issues.

In the aftermath of his visit to Washington, al-Kadhimi will face reactions at home and with surrounding countries - a dynamic that is not lost on U.S. officials.

“We’re committed to helping Iraq achieve economic prosperity, freedom from foreign meddling in its internal affairs, and improved relationships with its neighbors as well,” Pompeo said. 

Al-Kadhimi meanwhile reportedly spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman on Wednesday, affirming their joint interests, including the aim to stabilize global oil markets.  

Those issues and more will be addressed when al-Kadhimi sits down with Trump at the White House, observers say. 

Bilal Wahab, an Iraq analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said that al-Khadimi’s visit to Washington is an important first step for the two countries. 

“Now we have an opportunity to put this relationship on a normal path,” Wahab said. “It opens up a bilateral strategic dialogue. Not a trilateral relationship, where Iran is part of it, but a bilateral relationship.”