UAE-U.S. Strengthen Ties with New Investments and AI Collaboration

The UAE and the U.S. continue to reinforce their strategic partnership, built on over five decades of collaboration across security, trade, technology, and clean energy. The official visit of H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, to the United States marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties, enhancing economic cooperation, and advancing shared interests.

Bilateral trade between the UAE and the U.S. (excluding oil) reached nearly $40 billion, with merchandise trade rising by 9.47% to $34.43 billion (AED 126.46 billion) in 2024, compared to $31.45 billion (AED 115.51 billion) in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. UAE investments in the U.S. totaled approximately $3.7 billion between 2018 and 2023, while U.S. investments in the UAE reached $9.5 billion during the same period. The UAE also holds over $70 billion in the U.S. energy sector through ADNOC, Masdar, and XRG, reflecting its commitment to clean energy and sustainable development.

The UAE and U.S. have expanded cooperation in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. In April 2024, Microsoft announced a $1.5 billion strategic investment in G42, the UAE’s leading AI company. In June, World Wide Technology, Inc. (WWT) signed an agreement with NXT Global to establish the first AI integration center in Masdar City. In February, G42 and Microsoft launched the Responsible AI Institute (RAI Institute), the first initiative of its kind in the Middle East, promoting ethical AI development across the region and the Global South. In September, both countries announced a framework for AI cooperation, focusing on AI security, cybersecurity, regulatory standards, and the development of AI-driven sustainable solutions.

Space exploration remains a key area of collaboration. The UAE’s Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA), in partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder, builds on the success of the UAE’s Hope Probe, which was launched in 2021. The UAE is also a major contributor to NASA’s Lunar Gateway Programme, developing a dedicated airlock module that will support future missions, including the UAE’s first astronaut journey to lunar orbit by 2030.

Climate action is another pillar of UAE-U.S. relations, highlighted by the UAE-U.S. Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy (PACE), which aims to mobilize $100 billion to generate 100 gigawatts of clean energy by 2035. The UAE also co-leads the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM4C) alongside the U.S., bringing together over 50 countries and 500 partners to drive advancements in sustainable agriculture. Masdar, the UAE’s leading renewable energy company, has invested in 11 clean energy projects across the U.S., including the Big Beau solar and battery storage project near Los Angeles.

With ongoing collaborations in economic growth, technology, clean energy, and space exploration, the UAE and the U.S. continue to strengthen their partnership, fostering innovation and long-term prosperity on a global scale.