Trump comments on UAE's withdrawal from OPEC and his opinion on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed

U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the UAE's announcement of its withdrawal from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries "OPEC" and the broader organization, which includes a number of other countries, most notably Russia, called "OPEC+" starting Friday, May 1, 2026.

Trump said at a White House press conference on Wednesday: "I think it's great, I know him well, Mohammed (Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, President of the UAE) is very smart, and perhaps he wants to go his own way, and that's a good thing, I think ultimately it's a good thing for lowering fuel prices, lowering oil prices, lowering the prices of everything, they have all of that (capabilities), he (Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed) is truly a great leader..."

Trump continued: "They (the UAE) are facing some problems with OPEC..."

It is worth noting that the withdrawal of the United Arab Emirates from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a strong blow to the Middle East's ability to artificially keep oil prices high. However, it could also cause disruption for American oil producers and complicate the region's ability to respond to future emergencies.

The official Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported on Tuesday that Abu Dhabi intends to leave the "OPEC" organization on Friday, and that the decision will also include the "OPEC+" alliance, which comprises producers from outside the organization, including Russia and Mexico. The decision came after a review of the UAE's "current and future production capabilities," confirming that the move is based on "national interest."

The "OPEC" organization includes 12 countries: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Venezuela, Gabon, Algeria, Congo, and Equatorial Guinea.

"OPEC" is one of the most prominent oil blocs globally, as it seeks to coordinate production levels among its members to influence global supplies and prices. The withdrawal of the UAE - which is ranked among the top three producers within the organization - would give it broader scope to increase production away from the quota restrictions imposed by the Saudi-led alliance.