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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· 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 San Antonio
San Antonio 's significant military presence, including Joint Base San Antonio, means that local residents have a vested interest in the outcome of discussions between President Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. The city is home to a large number of veterans and active-duty personnel who have served in Iraq, and the prospect of increased pressure on Iraq to disarm Iranian-backed militias could have implications for local servicemembers. As the Trump administration considers its next steps in Iraq, San Antonians will be watching closely to see how the situation develops and what it might mean for the city's military community. The potential for increased tensions or conflict in the region could also have an impact on the local economy, particularly if it affects the city's defense industry or leads to an increase in deployments from Joint Base San Antonio.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio 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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Seung Min Kim And Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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