The visit by Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah to the United States is part the of the historic ties between the two countries that date back to more than 100 years, Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled al-Jarallah said on Tuesday. The Emir arrived in Washington on Monday and is scheduled to hold talks with President Donald Trump on Thursday. Jarallah added Kuwait positively views this visit, stressing the keenness of the two friendly countries on strengthening their strategic partnership. He underlined the importance of the visit in light of the rapid regional and international developments, especially those pertaining to the Gulf region, Middle East peace process and challenges encountered by the international coalition against terrorism. The Emir’s visit provides an opportunity to review aspects of cooperation between the two countries, especially those related to the economic, investment, trade, security and defense fields, Jarallah told the Kuwait news agency KUNA. Earlier, US ambassador to Kuwait, Lawrence Silverman, said the Emir’s meeting with Trump would be an opportunity to “exchange views over pressing regional challenges.” Chiefly, the talks will focus on strengthening trade relations between both countries. Jarallah announced that the visit will witness the signing of a number of bilateral agreements aiming to boost cooperation between the two countries. In 2017, trade exchange between the two countries, aside from oil, reached about $3.3 billion, according to official figures from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Commerce. Total trade exchange, including oil, reached about $6 billion. Kuwait imports a lot of US products, tipping the balance of trade heavily towards the United States Kuwait mainly exports oil derivatives, while US exports are concentrated in the transport sector. During the visit, a Kuwaiti-American forum for businessmen will be held to discuss prospects and opportunities for future cooperation in order to promote and develop the economic strategic partnership that the two sides aspire to.