UAE hoping to develop $1 trillion partnership with U.S. by AI, Funding

Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s first official journey to the US goals to push the United Arab Emirates-U.S. relationship to a brand new “geo-economic section” centered on financial progress and innovation, prime officers stated forward of a gathering of the 2 leaders in Washington, D.C., on Monday. 

“The aim of the go to is basically from an Emirati perspective, it is investing in our future … by an financial lens,” Anwar Gargash, the Emirati chief’s most senior diplomatic advisor, informed reporters throughout a briefing in Dubai on Thursday. 

The agenda for Sheikh Mohammed’s assembly with U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will embrace discussions on main regional challenges just like the battle in Gaza, however Gargash stated the first goal is financial realignment, because the UAE seeks to push the connection past the normal focus of regional battle, oil and protection.

“We’re extra in a geo-economic section,” Gargash stated, suggesting that the Emirati president would search to develop financial and safety cooperation, but additionally key areas like synthetic intelligence, renewable power, local weather and house.

“The 2 leaders will spotlight a half century trajectory of UAE-U.S. partnership in commerce, funding and safety,” the Emirati ambassador to Washington, Yousef al-Otaiba, posted on X forward of the go to. “Few nations are transferring as quick on superior applied sciences and synthetic intelligence — and as intently in sync with the U.S. — because the UAE,” he added.

The UAE has remained a key strategic protection and safety associate to Washington, taking part in host to the American air base in Al Dhafra, whereas working as a key associate alongside the U.S. in Afghanistan and Iraq. The UAE additionally participated within the international coalition to defeat the Islamic State group, in addition to operations in opposition to al-Qaeda and teams affiliated with the group all through the area. The UAE has additionally performed a key function in conflicts across the area, together with in Libya, Sudan and Yemen.

“We see that we’re laying a map for what we’re pondering within the subsequent 20 years,” Gargash stated, including that the strategic ties have now shifted to what he referred to as “a 360 diploma relationship.”

The assembly of the 2 leaders additionally comes as the continuing battle in Gaza continues to trigger a serious humanitarian disaster and upend regional stability. The most recent wave of Israeli assaults in opposition to Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and information that Iran helps the Houthi rebels in Yemen to goal and down U.S. Reaper drones has added to issues over a cease-fire, forward of the anniversary of the Oct. 7 assault on Israel and the upcoming American election on Nov. 5.