Swapna Kumbar , Bengaluru - U.S. President Donald Trump met Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House and said the two countries were headed for “a lot of deals,” with the relationship shifting toward economics and investment. The Iraqi leader said ties with Washington are moving from a military framework to a broader economic partnership.

Trump said the U.S. no longer needs a major military presence in Iraq, arguing that the partnership is now centered on oil, investment and commercial opportunities. He said American companies are entering Iraq at unprecedented levels and that the meeting could open the door to major agreements. The White House visit also came with U.S. pressure on Baghdad to curb the influence of Iran-backed armed groups.

Al-Zaidi’s office said the trip was meant to strengthen economic and development ties, attract investment, and expand the role of U.S. firms in infrastructure and energy projects. He also pledged that Iraq would disarm non-state factions and place weapons under state control, saying there was “no justification” for armed groups to continue outside government authority. That promise has become a central condition in Washington’s approach to the relationship.

The Trump-al-Zaidi meeting marked a clear effort by both sides to reset ties around economics rather than war. If Iraq follows through on disarming factions and opening more space for U.S. business, the relationship could enter a very different phase.