Egypt Daily News – U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Abu Dhabi on Thursday for a state visit to the United Arab Emirates.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was at the forefront of the reception to welcome the American president and his accompanying delegation at the Presidential Airport. Also present to receive him were Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor to the President; Dr. Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Presidential Office for Strategic Affairs; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority; Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the U.S.; and a number of senior officials.
As Trump’s aircraft entered UAE airspace, it was escorted by a squadron of military aircraft in a ceremonial display. The squadron leader radioed Trump to request permission to escort him to the Presidential Airport, welcoming him to the UAE. This symbolic gesture was repeated in reports, underlining the warmth of the welcome.
President Trump appeared visibly pleased and impressed during the official welcome ceremony in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed formally welcomed the U.S. president in Abu Dhabi, marking the third stop in Trump’s Gulf tour following visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Traditional Emirati folk performances were part of the welcome festivities, including dances by Emirati girls. Trump seemed captivated by the warm reception and exchanged friendly conversation with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed before waving to the dancers and performing his signature “fist pump.”
The UAE’s official news agency described the visit as a significant milestone in the trajectory of bilateral strategic relations, underscoring a deep-rooted history spanning nearly half a century. The UAE is currently the largest U.S. trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa, according to the UAE Ministry of Economy.
Diplomatic relations were established shortly after the UAE’s formation in 1971, with embassies opening in Washington and Abu Dhabi in 1974. The UAE-U.S. partnership spans development, politics, security, economy, trade, military, and peace agreements such as the Abraham Accords.
In economic terms, the UAE is a key investor in the U.S., with total investments estimated at $1 trillion across sectors including trade, aviation, manufacturing, energy, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence.
On the tech front, UAE-U.S. cooperation in AI has expanded significantly. In April 2024, UAE-based AI company G42 and Microsoft announced a strategic $1.5 billion investment by Microsoft in G42, aiming to enhance digital infrastructure and AI capabilities.
Space cooperation has also strengthened. The UAE’s 2021 Hope Probe mission laid the groundwork for deeper scientific collaboration with the U.S., which continues through joint missions such as the upcoming asteroid belt mission in partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder.
Moreover, the UAE plays a leading role in NASA’s Lunar Gateway project. It is developing a specialized crew airlock unit for lunar missions and will send the first Emirati astronaut to lunar orbit. The airlock unit, essential for crew safety and operations, is set for launch by 2030.
