business
Trump touts 'tremendous chemistry' with new Iraqi Prime Minister al-Zaidi during White House visit
By Seung Min Kim And Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 14, 2026
· 5 min read
President Donald Trump gave Iraq's new prime minister an effusive welcome at the White House on Tuesday, promoting the “tremendous chemistry” between him and a fellow wealthy businessman who arrived at the seat of governmental power without any prior political experience. Ali al-Zaidi emerged as ...
Key takeaway “Mark my words, I knew what I was doing,” Trump said in the Oval Office as he sat alongside al-Zaidi for his first visit outside Iraq as prime minister.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
For residents of Piney Point Village , the visit of Iraq's new prime minister to the White House may seem like a distant event, but it has implications for the local economy. As a major hub for international business and trade, the Houston area, which includes Piney Point Village, has significant economic ties to the Middle East. The Trump administration's efforts to pressure Iraq to disarm Iranian-backed militias could impact the stability of the region and, in turn, affect trade and business relationships between Houston and Iraq. Additionally, the energy industry, a crucial sector in the Houston economy, may be influenced by the outcome of these diplomatic efforts, as Iraq is a major oil producer and any disruption to its oil production could have far-reaching consequences for the global energy market. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor how these developments affect local businesses and the economy in Piney Point Village and the surrounding Houston area.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? President Donald Trump gave Iraq's new prime minister an effusive welcome at the White House on Tuesday, promoting the “tremendous chemistry” between him and a fellow wealthy businessman who arrived at the seat of governmental power without any prior political experience. Ali al-Zaidi emerged as ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Seung Min Kim And Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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