UAE-U.S. Partnership Strengthens with Strategic Investments and AI Cooperation
The UAE and the U.S. continue to deepen their five-decade-long partnership through expanded economic, technological, and security cooperation.
The recent visit of H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, underscores ongoing efforts to enhance dialogue and mutual interests.
Economic ties remain a cornerstone of the partnership, with bilateral non-oil trade nearing $40 billion. U.S. merchandise trade with the UAE rose by 9.47% to $34.43 billion in 2024. UAE investments in the U.S. totaled $3.7 billion between 2018 and 2023, while U.S. investments in the UAE reached $9.5 billion. The UAE also maintains over $70 billion in U.S. energy investments through ADNOC, Masdar, and XRG.
Technology and AI cooperation are rapidly expanding. In April 2024, Microsoft invested $1.5 billion in G42, the UAE's leading AI company. The UAE and the U.S. signed a framework for AI collaboration in September, focusing on ethical AI research, cybersecurity, and sustainable AI infrastructure. Additionally, NXT Global and World Wide Technology, Inc. announced plans to establish the first AI integration center in Masdar City.
Space exploration remains a key area of cooperation. The UAE's Hope Probe and Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt are partnered with the University of Colorado Boulder, while the UAE contributes an airlock module for NASA's Lunar Gateway, aiming to send an astronaut to lunar orbit by 2030.
Sustainability remains central, with the UAE-U.S. PACE initiative targeting $100 billion to generate 100 gigawatts of clean energy by 2035. Masdar has invested in 11 U.S. clean energy projects, reinforcing both nations' commitment to climate action and sustainable development.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
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