Of course, the Persian Gulf nations aren't exactly impoverished. But relative to the U. S., Brazil, Mexico and Russia are.

当然﹐确切地说﹐海湾国家并不算穷﹐这是相对于美国、巴西、墨西哥和俄罗斯而言的。

youdao

But even more pertinent is the huge variation in their national interests, between those such as low-lying small islands that may literally cease to exist as nations as the sea level rises, and the oil-producing states of the Persian Gulf and Opec for whom the priority is to keep the oil and gas flowing.

BBC: Climate: Fractures in the lobby?

The U.S. may continue to use oil from Canada, Venezuela and other nearby countries if prices are competitive, but the IEA predicts Asian nations will end up consuming 90% of the oil produced in the Persian Gulf.

FORBES: What Happens When America No Longer Needs Middle East Oil?

Around the world, we need you to partner with other nations to secure their ports, protect the vital shipping lanes of the Persian Gulf, combat piracy off the Horn of Africa, and help train foreign partners from the Americas to Africa to Asia.

WHITEHOUSE: U.S. Coast Guard Academy Commencement