UAE president arrives at White House to meet Biden
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s first official visit to Washington highlights the UAE’s focus on deepening economic and technological cooperation with the US
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Washington on Monday for his first official visit, marking a historic moment for the Gulf country.
As Sheikh Mohamed meets with U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running to succeed Biden in the upcoming elections, the UAE is placing a strong emphasis on economic partnership. The country is actively reorienting its economy away from oil and towards cutting-edge sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and technology.
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Presidential Advisor Anwar Gargash underscored the importance of this visit, stating that the Emiratis are now prioritizing "economy first, prosperity first" in their "strategic relationship" with the U.S.
A longstanding partnership
The UAE and the U.S. have shared close ties since establishing diplomatic relations in 1972. More than 1,500 American companies, including major players like Boeing, IBM, Microsoft, and Google, operate in the UAE, contributing significantly to its economic growth.
As we prepare to celebrate the arrival of H.H. Sheikh @MohamedbinZayed to @WhiteHouse, we mark another significant milestone in our strong U.S.-UAE partnership. Enjoy highlights from our enduring 50-year relationship that tells our shared story of progress to the world.… pic.twitter.com/50DSjihXbX
— US Mission to UAE (@USAinUAE) September 22, 2024
In a joint statement, UAE Ambassador Yousef al-Otaiba and U.S. Ambassador Martina Strong emphasized the strong bond between the two countries:
“In close partnership, we are working to advance multilateral diplomatic solutions and provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance in Gaza and Sudan. Our ongoing defense and counterterrorism cooperation makes our countries and the world more secure. U.S. and UAE troops have stood shoulder to shoulder in six conflicts over the last 30 years; their valor and devotion to duty have forged the strongest of bonds between our countries.”
The ambassadors further added, “By continuing to partner together, exploring new opportunities and addressing shared challenges head-on, we are keeping our eyes firmly fixed on a better vision for the region and for the next 50 years of our cooperation.”
A growing trade relationship
The UAE and the U.S. share a robust trade and investment relationship, extending far beyond oil exports. In 2023, bilateral trade between the two nations reached $31.4 billion, with U.S. exports totaling $24.8 billion to the UAE. This resulted in an $18.3 billion trade surplus for the U.S., making the UAE America’s largest export market in the Middle East for the 15th consecutive year.
🇦🇪🇺🇸 enjoy a strong trade relationship, shown by the $31B in bilateral trade reached in 2023. From supporting US jobs in industries like renewable energy semiconductors & biosciences, learn more about the growing & dynamic #UAEUSA relationship: https://t.co/lNu4Fnh2No @USAinUAE pic.twitter.com/MugBRJTEDC
— UAE Embassy US (@UAEEmbassyUS) September 22, 2024
Focus on technology and AI
The UAE is not solely focused on economic prosperity; it is also positioning itself as a global leader in technological innovation. Collaboration between the UAE’s “Silicon Oasis” and the U.S.’s Silicon Valley is driving advancements in AI, supercomputing, and technology infrastructure.
Recently, Abu Dhabi’s MGX teamed up with Microsoft and U.S. investment firm BlackRock to launch a new technology infrastructure investment platform. At the same time, Silicon Valley’s Cerebras partnered with the UAE’s G42 to deploy some of the world’s fastest supercomputers for AI training in California and Texas.
The solid foundation laid by the UAE’s 2009 nuclear energy agreement with the U.S. has enabled the UAE to supply low-emission electricity to its data centers, further demonstrating the countries' shared commitment to advancing energy and technology sectors.
Navigating regional tensions
While economic and technological cooperation remains a focal point, Sheikh Mohamed’s visit comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Hostilities between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah have escalated, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
The UAE continues to play a key role in advocating for stability and peace, while also engaging in humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
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