{"id":99479,"date":"2026-02-07T09:00:28","date_gmt":"2026-02-07T17:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/?p=99479"},"modified":"2026-02-07T08:44:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T16:44:06","slug":"eu-trying-to-make-a-trade-deal-with-the-gulf-states-a-prelude-to-deals-between-the-king-of-the-north-and-the-king-of-the-south","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/prophecy\/eu-trying-to-make-a-trade-deal-with-the-gulf-states-a-prelude-to-deals-between-the-king-of-the-north-and-the-king-of-the-south\/","title":{"rendered":"EU trying to make a trade deal with the Gulf States: A prelude to deals between the King of the North and the King of the South?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Union for the Mediterranean
\n<\/em><\/strong>(Map from <\/em>Treehill<\/a><\/span><\/span>\u00a0via Wikipedia)<\/em><\/p>\n

Blue<\/span>:<\/strong> Members<\/span> of the European Union <\/em>
\nBrown<\/span>:<\/strong> Other members (primarily from the African Union & Arab League)<\/em>
\nRed<\/span>:<\/strong> Libya is currently only an observer member in the <\/em>Union for the Mediterranean<\/em><\/p>\n

COGwriter<\/a><\/p>\n

The European Union continues to look to accelerate trade deals since the re-election of Donald Trump as the President of the United States:<\/p>\n

\n

EU courts Gulf countries for free trade deal as Brussels seeks to counter tariffs<\/h2>\n

7 February 2026<\/p>\n

The EU’s special envoy to the Gulf told Euronews it’s high time to get a deal done as Brussels looks to bolster business ties with wealthy Arab nations. Free trade talks have stalled for two decades over political disagreements and conditions for market access.<\/h3>\n
\n

European officials have called for the negotiation of a free-trade agreement between the European Union and the Gulf nations to be fast-tracked, as the bloc looks to diversify trade ties worldwide to counter the impact of US tariffs and an inundation of Chinese exports.<\/p>\n

Speaking at a panel discussion moderated by Euronews at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Latvia’s Prime Minister Evika Silina said the EU should reach out to new partners in a pragmatic fashion.<\/p>\n

“This is a good, historical time for Europe to strengthen new partnerships,” she said on Thursday.<\/p>\n

“Pragmatic, new partnerships for a market of 500 million people \u2013 who wouldn’t want to make a deal with us?” …<\/p>\n

Since US President Donald Trump imposed an aggressive tariff policy on allies and foes alike last year, the EU has sought to cushion the blow by opening up new markets and diversifying its exports network across the world.<\/p>\n

The EU recently signed two major trade deals with Latin American countries and India after the pressure of US tariffs finally ended years of impasse.<\/p>\n

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has promised to unlock more deals for European companies faced with US tariffs, competition from China and higher energy costs.<\/p>\n

With the Mercosur deal, which includes Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, the EU hopes to gain market access to sell European cars and strengthen economic ties in a continent rich in raw materials, while the India agreement \u2013 which the Commission described as the “mother of all deals” \u2013 promises access to 1.3 billion consumers, with tariffs slashed on 96.6% of EU exports.<\/p>\n

The Gulf’s principal attraction for the EU is in its energy sector. Most EU member states have cut their use of Russian gas and oil following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as well as severing Russian access to strategic routes.<\/p>\n

Negotiating past political disagreements<\/h3>\n

The negotiations are being handled under the framework of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which includes the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain.<\/p>\n

The EU and the GCC signed a cooperation agreement in 1988, but have since struggled to strike a full trade agreement. https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/02\/07\/eu-courts-gulf-countries-for-free-trade-deal-as-brussels-seeks-to-counter-tariffs<\/a><\/p>\n

Merz looks to Gulf ties to curb Germany\u2019s reliance on the US<\/h2>\n

BERLIN \u2014 Friedrich Merz embarks on his first trip to the Persian Gulf region as chancellor on Wednesday in search of new energy and business deals he sees as critical to reducing Germany\u2019s dependence on the U.S. and China.<\/p>\n

The three-day trip with stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates illustrates Merz\u2019s approach to what he calls a dangerous new epoch of \u201cgreat power politics\u201d<\/a> \u2014 one in which the U.S. under President Donald Trump is no longer a reliable partner. European countries must urgently embrace their own brand of hard power by forging new global trade alliances, including in the Middle East, or risk becoming subject to the coercion of greater powers, Merz argues. 02\/03\/26 https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/friedrich-merz-looks-to-gulf-ties-to-curb-germany-reliance-on-the-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

So, we see that the Chancellor of Germany, Frederick Merz, went to the Middle East to work on a deal. And we also see that Latvia’s Prime Minister Evika Silina went to the Middle East to push trade ties with the European Union. Plus we see that the EU is working on pushing many trade deals.<\/p>\n

As regular readers of this COGwriter Church of God News page should be aware I have been warning, since the morning after he was re-elected, that Donald Trump’s statements and policies would get those in the European Union to accelerate trade deals (see also our free eBook: Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump\u2019s Presidency<\/a><\/span>). This has happened and is continuing to happen.<\/p>\n

There is a relatively little-known, multi-national organization called the Union for the Mediterranean. It consists of most the European nations as well as all of the nations in the Middle East and North Africa that border the Mediterranean Sea.<\/p>\n

Consider, now, the following in view of the map showing the Union for the Mediterranean at the beginning of this post:<\/p>\n

\n

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\nRoman Empire 117 A.D. (Tataryn via Wikipedia)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Most of the above lands north of the Mediterranean Sea are, were, or want to be part of the European Union. And while the UK left, consider that ancient Britain was conquered to be in the old Roman Empire\u2013the UK will be conquered by the coming European Beast power (cf. Daniel 8:24-25, 11:39). The final King of the North will be a European power, and the coming King of the South a power comprised of nations in northern Africa and the Middle East. Furthermore, according to Daniel 11:40-43, many of the lands shown, that are to the south and east of the Mediterranean Sea, will be conquered by the coming European King of the North Beast power.<\/p>\n

Yet, before that happens, there will be deals between the coming King of the North and King of the South.<\/p>\n

Daniel wrote:<\/p>\n

25 He [the king of the North] shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South. .. 27 Both these kings’ hearts shall be bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end will still be at the appointed time (Daniel 11:25,27).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Notice that these two kings make a deal together, but both sides are lying to each other. Thus, whatever agreement they make is not destined to be permanent.<\/p>\n

Psalm 83 tells of a time when a confederation will form in the lands of northern Africa and the Middle East, but then will temporarily align with a coming European power.<\/p>\n

The following is in my free eBook Islamic and Biblical Prophecies for the 21st Century<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Another possibly related set of passages related to a temporal Muslim-European alliance is found in the 83rd<\/sup> Psalm. Here is part of it, starting with verse 3, with some modern national identities from former Radio and Worldwide Church of God writers inserted using \u201c{ }\u201d[i]<\/a>:<\/p>\n

3<\/sup> They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, And consulted together against Your sheltered ones. 4<\/sup> They have said, \u201cCome, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel {includes Jews as well as the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh, meaning the British-descended peoples and the USA} may be remembered no more.\u201d<\/p>\n

5<\/sup> For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You: 6<\/sup> The tents of Edom {Turks and possibly Afghanis} and the Ishmaelites {Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Libya}; Moab {part of Jordan} and the Hagrites {Syria}; 7<\/sup> Gebal {Lebanon}, Ammon {Jordan, and perhaps the UAE}, and Amalek {part of the Turks}; Philistia {Palestinian Arabs} with the inhabitants of Tyre {Lebanon; perhaps also in part of Southern Italy}; 8<\/sup> Assyria {migrated to Germanic Europe} also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot {Jordan and western Iraq}. (Psalm 83:3-8)<\/p>\n

Nations like Tunisia and Algeria would also be expected to be involved, as well as those associated with the end time European Beast power.<\/p>\n

The old Radio Church of God and Worldwide Church of God published the following related to that 83rd<\/sup> Psalm:<\/p>\n

Notice an amazing prophecy about the Middle East in Psalm 83:1-8. It is a time of war. \u201cHold not Thy peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, Thine enemies … have taken crafty counsel against Thy people.\u201d They have dealt treacherously with Judah and Israel \u2014 with the Jews and with America and Britain \u2026 Israel {Genesis 48:14-16}. The Jews are merely the tribe of Judah. \u2026<\/p>\n

So Germany \u2026 is ultimately going to support an Arab union against the Jews and against Israel \u2014 Britain and America! This is what prophecy foretells.[ii]<\/a><\/p>\n

Here we see that the Arab nations mentioned are allied with Germany (Assur) which we know from other prophecies will be the military leader \u2014 naturally so \u2014 of a United States of Europe … This European power \u2014 called the \u201cking of the North\u201d in Daniel 11 [iii]<\/a><\/p>\n

(Psalm 83) provides additional insight into the coming Mideast picture. Germany (Assyria in Bible prophecy) and perhaps the rest of Europe will be in league in the future with a union of Arab nations \u2014 a vast confederacy bound together in an effort to crush out the name \u201cIsrael\u201d from the face of the earth! This Arab-Moslem confederacy may very well be the previously mentioned \u201cking of the south\u201d of Daniel 11 \u2014 a sphere of power encompassing vast portions of the Islamic world. \u2026<\/p>\n

But in the end, this European-Arab alliance will prove short-lived. \u2026 the \u201cking of the north\u201d of Daniel 11 \u2014 the leader of the German-led European union \u2014 will ultimately turn against the Arab \u201cking of the south,\u201d with disastrous consequences for the entire Middle East [iv]<\/a><\/p>\n

Psalm 83 is talking about an alliance of predominantly Muslim peoples aligning with a European power to go against, according to the old Radio Church of God, the Jews of Israel, the British-descended nations, and the USA. Prophetic Assyria is connected to an end time power in Germany and Europe (cf. Isaiah 10:5-11).<\/p>\n

[i]<\/a> Boraker R. SYRIA RAIDS ISRAEL \u2013 Where Is It Leading? Plain Truth. November 1966, p. 27; Hoeh H. GERMANY in Prophecy! – Part 2. Plain Truth, January 1963, pp. 28; Stump K. The Arab World in Prophecy, p. 13; McNair R. Solving the Arab-Israeli Impasse! CG21, 2005<\/p>\n

[ii]<\/a> Hoeh, pp. 28-29<\/p>\n

[iii]<\/a> Boraker, p. 27<\/p>\n

[iv]<\/a> Stump, p. 13<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Psalm 83:4-8 is suggesting that the descendants of Israel (which not only include the modern state of Israel, but also much of the English-speaking world, cf. Genesis 48:13-16–see a discussion of this in Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel<\/a>) will be bothered by a confederation of basically Arabic\/Islamic peoples from the Middle East (not Ethiopians), who will also somewhat align with a European power (see Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History<\/a> and Germany in Biblical and Greo-Roman Catholic Prophecy<\/a>).<\/p>\n

In 1966 and 1979, the old Radio\/Worldwide Church of God taught that the King of the South would arise and make a deal with the King of the North as shown in Psalm 83:<\/p>\n

But who is the “king of the south”?…in verse 40 we skip to “the time of the end”…The verse undoubtedly found partial fulfillment in the offensive of 1896…But Mussolini did not finish the prophecy…Just as there is yet to be a final “king of the north”…there may very well emerge in the same manner a final “king of the south”–an overall leader of an Arab-Moslem confederation, possibly bearing the very title Mahdi<\/em><\/strong>…a prophetic psalm (Psalm 83) provides additional insight into the Mideast picture. Germany (Assyria<\/em> in Bible prophecy) and perhaps the rest of Europe will be in league in the future with a union of Arab nations…But in the end, this European-Arab alliance will prove short-lived…And the king of the north shall come against him [the king of the south]…Daniel 11:40-41…The Arab-Moslem Confederation will, of course, be thrown into chaotic disarray in the fact of invasion. (Stump K. The Arab World in Prophecy. Plain Truth, December 1979, pp. 11-12).<\/p>\n

They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom [Esau or modern-day Turkey, a non-Arab but Islamic nation] and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; of Moab [part of Jordan] and the Hagarenes [anciently these people dwelt in the land known as Syria today]; Gebal [Lebanon], and Ammon [modern Jordan], and Amalek [part of the Turks]; the Philistines [the modern Palestinian Arabs] with the inhabitants of Tyre [Lebanon]; Assur [whose descendants, the Assyrians, migrated to Germany] also is joined with them: (Stump K. The Arab World in Prophecy. Plain Truth, December 1979).<\/p>\n

Turn to the astounding prophecy found in Psalm 83:1-8 … the coming time when ALL of Israel\u2019s enemies would join together in an effort to crush out even the name \u201cIsrael\u201d from the face of the earth! (Verse 4) \u201cFor they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee\u2026\u201d (verse 5). Notice the nations making up this confederation. \u201cEdom [Turkey], and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; Moab [Jordan], and the Hagarenes [they anciently dwelt in the land known as Syria today]; Gebal {Lebanon}, and Ammon [Jordan] and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur [whose descendants migrated to Germany] is joined with them; they have helped the children of Lot\u201d {Moab and Ammon in modern Jordan). Here we see that the Arab nations mentioned are allied with Germany (Assur) which we know from other prophecies will be the military leader \u2014 naturally so \u2014 of a United States of Europe…Egypt…will provoke the prophesied United Europe (Dan. 11:40). This European power \u2014 called the “king of the north” in Daniel 11 \u2014 shall invade and occupy the “glorious land” of Palestine (verse 41). “And the land of Egypt shall not escape”(Boraker R. SYRIA RAIDS ISRAEL \u2013 Where Is It Leading? Plain Truth. November 1966)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The above quotes show that the Worldwide Church of God (WCG), under the late Herbert Armstrong’s leadership, taught that there would be a future fulfillment of Daniel 11:40 involving an end-time King of the South and North and that WCG believed it would involve some type of Arab-Islamic confederation and deals.<\/p>\n

While what the Europeans are currently doing is not the deal of Daniel 11:27 or Psalm 83:4-8, the fact that the EU and the Gulf States are pushing for closer ties appears to be a prelude to those biblical prophecies being fulfilled.<\/p>\n

As Jesus said:<\/p>\n

37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! (Mark 13:37)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Some items of possibly related interest may include:<\/em><\/p>\n

Islamic and Biblical Prophecies for the 21st Century<\/a> This is a free online book which helps show where biblical and Islamic prophecies converge and diverge. Here are links to related sermons: Seeing Christianity Through Islamic Eyes<\/a>, Imam Mahdi, women, and prophecy<\/a>, and Terrorism, Iran, and Fatima<\/a>, Dajjal, Antichrist, Gold, & Mark of the Beast?<\/a>, and Jesus and God\u2019s Plan for Muslims<\/a>. Here is a link to a sermon in the Spanish language: El Im\u00e1m Mahdi las mujeres y la profec\u00eda b\u00edblica<\/a>. Here is a link to the book in Spanish: Profec\u00edas isl\u00e1micas y b\u00edblicas para el Siglo 21\u00b0<\/a>.
\nIs the Future King of the South Rising Up?<\/a> Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising<\/a><\/span>. Here is a version the Spanish language: \u00bfEsta Surgiendo el Rey Del Sur?<\/a>
\nThe Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy<\/a> The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: L\u00edderes iran\u00edes condenan la hipocres\u00eda de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armaged\u00f3n, la guerra, y el Im\u00e1n Mahdi<\/a>.
\nWho is the King of the North?<\/a> Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand<\/span>? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out \u00bfQui\u00e9n es el Rey del Norte? <\/a>Here are links to two related videos: The King of the North is Alive: What to Look Out For<\/a> and The Future King of the North<\/a>.
\nEuropa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation<\/a>\u00a0discusses the largest church since the second\/third century, which in a real sense is the eighth church mentioned in the Book of Revelation (it also endorses \u201ceighth day\u201d worship). What church would support the Beast? Here is a link to a video titled:\u00a0Europe and the \u2018Holy Roman Empire\u2019<\/a>.
\nLost Tribes and Prophecies:\u00a0What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America?<\/a>\u00a0Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? What about other peoples? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons:\u00a0Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA<\/a>;\u00a0Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications<\/a>;\u00a011 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes<\/a>;\u00a0Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty<\/a>;\u00a0Gentile European Beast<\/a>;\u00a0Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies<\/a>;\u00a0Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon;<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0When Will the End of the Age Come?<\/a>;\u00a0\u00a0Rise of the Prophesied King of the North<\/a>;\u00a0Christian Persecution from the Beast<\/a>;\u00a0WWIII and the Coming New World Order<\/a>; and\u00a0Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Union for the Mediterranean (Map from Treehill\u00a0via Wikipedia) Blue: Members of the European Union Brown: Other members (primarily from the African Union & Arab League) Red: Libya is currently only an observer member in the Union for the Mediterranean COGwriter The European Union continues to look to accelerate trade deals since the re-election of Donald […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-99479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-prophecy"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t