UAE Exceeds First-Year Investment Goals with the US, Advances AI Collaborations

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

His Excellency Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the UAE Executive Affairs Authority, convened with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to assess the progress of the UAE-US economic framework and the investments exchanged over the past year.

This meeting marked one year since the establishment of the economic framework during US President Donald J. Trump's visit to the UAE on May 16, 2025. The initiative, supported by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President Trump, aims to reinforce economic cooperation and foster sustainable growth in both nations.

During the discussions, Al Mubarak emphasized the robust UAE-US economic partnership, characterized by trust, shared growth, and collaborative opportunities. He remarked that the UAE has not only met but exceeded its commitments to the United States in the inaugural year of the agreement, despite facing global economic challenges.

A key agenda item was the UAE's pledge to invest US$1.4 trillion into the US economy over the next decade. This investment encompasses vital sectors like energy, manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI), aviation, infrastructure, and healthcare. Officials reviewed a report indicating that the UAE is substantially exceeding its first-year investment goals and is contributing to the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout the United States.

AI continues to be a significant focus of collaboration. UAE entities are investing along the entire AI value chain in the US, covering advanced semiconductors, large-scale AI infrastructure, research facilities, and AI applications. Many of these initiatives are spearheaded by MGX and G42 across various states, bolstering economic development and job opportunities.

Moreover, the two nations are collaborating on expanding AI infrastructure globally, exemplified by the 5GW UAE-US AI Campus in Abu Dhabi. The initial 500MW phase of this project is anticipated to be operational by the year’s end, with considerable involvement from American firms.

The economic framework has also driven substantial advancements in several strategic domains. In energy, UAE companies like ADNOC, XRG, and Masdar are actively supporting significant power generation and energy infrastructure initiatives in the United States.

In the realm of manufacturing, Emirates Global Aluminium is progressing with plans to launch the first new aluminium smelter in the US in nearly 50 years. This facility is set to be established in Oklahoma and is poised to enhance domestic industrial capabilities.

UAE sovereign investment entities, including ADIA, Mubadala, and L’Imad, have continued to invest in crucial sectors within the US economy, such as real estate, aviation, and financial services.

Trade dynamics between the two nations have also reached unprecedented heights. US exports to the UAE reached US$31.4 billion in 2025, yielding a US$23.8 billion trade surplus for the United States, marking the largest US trade surplus in the MENA region and the fourth largest globally.

As per the US Department of Commerce, total trade between the UAE and the US hit a record US$39 billion in 2025. The UAE has been the premier destination for US goods in the MENA for 17 consecutive years.

During his visit to Washington, Al Mubarak also engaged in discussions with US Vice President JD Vance, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg, focusing on ongoing economic cooperation and investment prospects.

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