The trade relationship between the UAE and the U.S. has strengthened significantly, with merchandise trade growing by 9.47% to reach $34.43 billion in 2024. This increase is up from $31.45 billion in 2023, highlighting a robust economic partnership that has developed over more than five decades.

The recent visit of H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, to the United States marked a pivotal moment in enhancing these ties. During his meetings at the White House, Sheikh Tahnoon discussed advancing economic and technological collaborations, as well as addressing ongoing regional challenges.

The UAE is recognized as one of the U.S.’s key partners, maintaining strong economic and investment ties. The bilateral trade volume, excluding oil, has approached $40 billion, showcasing the depth of collaboration. Between 2018 and 2023, UAE investments in the U.S. totaled approximately $3.7 billion, while U.S. investments in the UAE reached around $9.5 billion during the same period.

Both countries are also focused on mutual investments in the energy sector, with the UAE holding over $70 billion in the U.S. energy market through companies like ADNOC, Masdar, and XRG. The countries have established a solid foundation for long-term economic collaboration, especially in emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence, clean energy, and space exploration.

In 2024, several strategic partnerships were formed, particularly in technology and AI. Notably, Microsoft announced a $1.5 billion investment in G42, while World Wide Technology signed an agreement with NXT Global to create the first AI integration center in Masdar City, UAE. Additionally, the Responsible AI Institute, launched by G42 and Microsoft, aims to promote responsible AI standards across the region.

The UAE’s involvement in NASA’s Lunar Gateway Program is another highlight of the growing partnership in space exploration. The UAE is developing a specialized airlock module for astronauts and plans to send its first astronaut to lunar orbit by 2030.

Climate action remains a crucial aspect of the UAE-U.S. cooperation, with initiatives like the UAE-U.S. Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy (PACE), which aims to mobilize $100 billion to generate 100 gigawatts of clean energy by 2035. Furthermore, Masdar has invested in multiple clean energy projects across the U.S., reinforcing the commitment to sustainable development.