Egypt Daily News – UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed announced on Thursday an investment plan worth $1.4 trillion, which Emirati institutions intend to inject into the United States over the next ten years. The investments will focus on the new economy, advanced technology, energy, artificial intelligence, and industry.
This announcement came during talks between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and U.S. President Donald Trump in Abu Dhabi. Trump arrived in the UAE as the final stop on his Gulf tour, making him the second U.S. president to visit the country since George W. Bush in 2008.
The UAE President stated that this move “reflects the strength of the strategic partnership between Abu Dhabi and Washington,” noting that relations between the two have seen an unprecedented boost, especially since Trump took office. He added that there is significant cooperation between the public and private sectors in both countries, with strategic projects reinforcing their partnership as a pillar of stability and growth, not only for the region but globally.
Deepening the Partnership
Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to continuing close cooperation with the U.S. to achieve peace and stability in the region and the world, saying: “We are keen to deepen this strategic partnership, and your presence here today confirms this mutual commitment.”
President Trump praised the strength of the strategic relationship between the two countries and commended Sheikh Mohammed’s leadership, stating: “I want to thank you. We’ve been friends for a long time, and I hold you in high regard. Everyone in the Middle East respects you greatly. I personally see you as a strong leader, a great warrior, and a rare visionary.”
He added, “I met two of your close friends recently, and we spoke about you. Everything said was full of admiration and appreciation. They said when you shake someone’s hand or make a deal, it’s a deal that counts. You have everyone’s trust.” Regarding the UAE’s investment, Trump expressed his deep appreciation, calling it “the largest foreign investment ever in our country,” reflecting great confidence in the future of the U.S. economy.
Trump noted that the U.S. is currently experiencing an unprecedented wave of economic growth and recovery, with record-breaking figures in various sectors from employment to investment.
Additionally, the UAE President awarded Trump the “Order of Zayed” during their meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi.
A Pivotal Moment
This visit marks a pivotal point in the longstanding UAE-U.S. relationship, which spans more than five decades. Both nations share aspirations to elevate cooperation to new heights.
Upon his arrival, Trump visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, where he was received by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt described the visit as “a historic return to the Middle East,” while analysts noted that Trump’s choice to start his regional tour in the Gulf underlines the increasing importance the U.S. places on the region’s strategic role on the global stage.
Historic Relations
Diplomatic ties between the UAE and the U.S. date back to 1971, with embassies opened in 1974. Over the decades, their alliance has expanded to include political, military, economic, and developmental cooperation, as well as promising partnerships in advanced technology, renewable energy, and space exploration.
The economic dimension is one of the key areas of Trump’s visit. The UAE is among the largest U.S. trading partners in the Middle East and North Africa, with non-oil trade between the two reaching $32.8 billion in 2024. The U.S. ranks as the UAE’s sixth-largest global trading partner and the top one outside Asia.
UAE investments in the U.S. are estimated at around $1 trillion, spread across aviation, energy, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence—highlighting the mutual trust between both nations. The UAE is particularly focused on AI cooperation. In 2024, UAE-based G42 and Microsoft signed a $1.5 billion agreement, and multiple strategic partnerships were announced to establish AI hubs in Masdar City and promote responsible digital initiatives through the region’s first Responsible AI Foundation.
Economies of the Future
The global AI infrastructure partnership—recently renamed following the inclusion of NVIDIA and xAI—marks a new phase in tech collaboration, aiming to mobilize up to $100 billion in investments.
Space cooperation continues, building on the success of the “Hope Probe” in 2021. The partnership with NASA includes the UAE’s involvement in the Lunar Gateway project, where it is contributing to the life support module. The next phase will see the first Emirati astronaut head to lunar orbit.
Nuclear cooperation is also on the agenda. Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, said bilateral collaboration in nuclear energy is a global model, noting partnerships with U.S. firms such as TerraPower, X-Energy, and General Atomics to develop advanced and small modular reactors.
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, said the visit reflects a shared will to boost economic partnership, highlighting promising opportunities in AI, energy, and sustainable industrial development.
UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail Al Mazrouei, added that Trump’s visit lays a new foundation for bilateral cooperation, as the UAE aims to double its investments in energy, technology, infrastructure, and expand its partnerships in AI and smart transport.
