Almost a month after Donald Trump’s inauguration, the United States achieved significant results in his diplomacy, including contribution to the Treés Agreement between Israel and Hamas, the recent release of US prisoners in Russia and Belarus and the beginning of Washington negotiations. and Moscow for the end of the war in Ukraine.
Direct involvement of Donald Trump’s new administration in these central issues for the global scenario indicated a different leadership style than it was seen during the government of Democrat Joe Biden, who exerted pressure on conflict targets without actually immediate results.
A common point in the current advances is the name of Steve Witkoff, the special envoy for missions abroad and longtime Trump friend.
In conversation with the newspaper Haaretza senior Israeli diplomat called the president’s chosen as “a businessman who wants to reach a deal quickly and advances uncommonly aggressively” in his negotiations. This stance earned him notoriety and placed him as a key figure of Trump’s agenda for changes in the international scene.
Steve Witkoff is a real estate Jewish billionaire investor who founded Witkoff Group in the late 1990s. Since this period, his business has been focused on the US – in New York and Florida – but they have also been gaining ground in the Middle East, especially At Qatar, where he evaluates opportunities for future projects.
“Qatar is impressive,” Witkoff said during his appearance at an economic forum in May last year, adding later that “Tourism is increasing. The hotels here are magnificent. Who wouldn’t go back to this region? ”Still referring to Qatar.
New York by birth, the investor graduated in law at the University of Hofstra in Long Island in 1983. The beginning of his career was marked by acting in a law firm specializing in real estate issues.
A few years later, he founded his own business, accumulating thousands of real estate during a boom in the sector, especially in his hometown. The proximity to the current US president came at this time, as the two had common interests in investments.
During the first term, Trump had a Steve Witkoff consultancy on tax and tax issues. In the same period, the now special envoy praised the posture of the republican favorable to deregulation and the reduction of taxes that, according to him, encouraged investments in the real estate sector.
The billionaire, the longtime ally of the US representative, also served at the Great American Economic Revival Industry Group, a “task force” created by Trump during his first government, with the aim of reducing the economic impact caused by the pandemic. He was also called upon to co -appear Trump’s inauguration committee in this second term.
Given the recent results of Witkoff regarding global conflicts, its role in republican administration is expected to expand even more. According to the newspaper Times of Israelthere are reports that Trump plans to trust him to conduct Iran -related negotiations, particularly as regards the Tehran nuclear program.
Another possible participation of the US special envoy involves Trump’s proposal for Gaza’s reconstruction, with Washington taking control of the Palestinian enclave to develop the “Middle East Riviera”.
In this sense, Steve Witkoff, a real estate investor, can play a role in strengthening US ties with Gulf allies through deeper economic partnerships.