Numerous strategic initiatives are reshaping the technological landscape between the United Arab Emirates and the United States, establishing a robust framework for long-term collaboration. Bilateral non-oil trade has reached an impressive $28.3 billion in the first nine months of 2024, cementing the UAE's position as the U.S.'s fourth largest trading partner globally. This economic relationship accounts for 27% of U.S. trade with the Arab world, reflecting the significant commercial ties between the two nations.
The UAE-US partnership solidifies with $28.3 billion in non-oil trade, establishing a technological foundation for future collaboration.
The UAE's delegation to CES 2025, led by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, engaged in high-level discussions with Nevada's Lt. Governor Stavros Anthony and representatives from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. These meetings emphasized the UAE's growing role as a global hub for artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. The NextGen FDI initiative was prominently showcased as part of the UAE's strategy to attract technology investments.
Executives from leading tech companies including Accenture, Qualcomm, and Skylo participated in strategic conversations focused on leveraging the UAE's world-class infrastructure and talent pool. The UAE has embraced smart contracts as foundational technology to facilitate permissionless financial services across various sectors.
Investment flows have accelerated, with over $35 billion in UAE investments in the U.S. and $5 billion in U.S. investments in the UAE by the end of 2022. Notable developments include MGX's $2 billion investment in Binance, underscoring the UAE's top ranking among "most crypto-obsessed countries" in 2025. The UAE's position as the global leader in crypto adoption has attracted numerous companies seeking to operate outside of restrictive EU regulations.
Additionally, ADQ has signed a $25 billion partnership with a U.S. energy investor, further strengthening bilateral economic ties.
Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan's meetings with U.S. officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, highlight the diplomatic dimension of these tech alliances. Engagements with industry titans like Oracle's Larry Ellison, BlackRock's Larry Fink, and Microsoft's Satya Nadella signal strategic alignment on AI collaboration.
The announcement of a $1.4 trillion UAE investment framework for the next decade focuses on AI, semiconductors, energy, and manufacturing. This includes Emirates Global Aluminum's plans for a new U.S. aluminum smelter that could potentially double domestic aluminum production, demonstrating the tangible economic impact of this flourishing technological partnership.
