The UAE aims to strengthen its $1 trillion partnership with the U.S. through AI and investment.

• The discussions at the meeting between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will focus on major regional challenges, including the war in Gaza.
• Meetings with prominent U.S. business leaders and tech executives are also scheduled during the visit.
• In February, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, stated that the UAE could act as a "regulatory sandbox" to test the effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence.

The Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's first official visit to the United States aims to strengthen the UAE-U.S. relationship and move it into a new "geo-economic phase" focused on economic growth and innovation, top officials stated before the leaders' meeting in Washington, D.C., on Monday.

Anwar Gargash, the Emirati leader's most senior diplomatic advisor, stated during a briefing in Dubai on Thursday that the purpose of the visit is from an Emirati perspective and it's investing in our future through an economic lens.

The primary objective of Sheikh Mohammed's meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris is economic realignment, as the UAE seeks to push the relationship beyond the traditional focus of regional conflict, oil, and defense. Discussions on major regional challenges like the war in Gaza will also be included in the agenda.

Gargash stated that the Emirati president is currently in a geo-economic phase, indicating a focus on expanding economic and security cooperation, as well as key areas such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, climate, and space.

The Emirati ambassador to Washington, Yousef al-Otaiba, announced on X that the two leaders will emphasize the 50-year partnership between the UAE and the US in trade, investment, and security during their visit. He also stated that the UAE is one of the few countries that is rapidly advancing in technology and artificial intelligence and is closely aligned with the US in this regard.

Growing investment ties

In April, Microsoft made a major $1.5 billion investment in the United Arab Emirates' top artificial intelligence firm, G42, after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman suggested in February that the UAE could serve as the world's "regulatory sandbox" to test Artificial Intelligence.

The UAE has recently formed a Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership with Microsoft and MGX, highlighting its strategic focus on U.S. technology and AI to fuel future economic growth.

The visit will include meetings with prominent American business leaders and tech executives, furthering the UAE's objective of drawing in American investment while maintaining its diplomatic ties with China. However, the Emirates have faced restrictions on semiconductor exports from the Biden administration due to concerns about technology being shared with Beijing.

Trillion-dollar relationship

The UAE and the U.S. have a longstanding trade and investment partnership, with bilateral trade worth around $31.4 billion in 2023, and U.S. exports to the UAE exceeding $24.8 billion, as stated by the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C.

The UAE, which accounts for almost 4% of global oil production, has $1 trillion worth of investments in the US. The sovereign wealth funds of the UAE, such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Mubadala, are significant investors in American real estate, infrastructure, and technology sectors.

The UAE has been a crucial strategic defense and security ally to the US, hosting an American airbase in Al Dhafra and collaborating with the US in Afghanistan and Iraq. The UAE has also been a key member of the global coalition to defeat ISIS, as well as participating in operations against Al-Qaeda and groups linked to the organization throughout the region. Additionally, the UAE has played a significant role in conflicts in Libya, Sudan, and Yemen.

"Gargash stated that we are creating a map for our future plans in the next 20 years, and that our strategic ties have now evolved into a "360 degree relationship.""

The ongoing conflict in Gaza continues to cause a major humanitarian crisis and upend regional stability, as the latest wave of Israeli attacks against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and news that Iran is helping the Houthi rebels in Yemen to target and down U.S. Reaper drones have added to complications over a cease-fire, ahead of the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the upcoming American election on Nov. 5.