UAE, US explore ways to advance trade and investment relations

Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, participated in a UAE-US Business Council roundtable meeting and a US Chamber of Commerce roundtable session in New York, where he engaged with influential US business leaders and policymakers.

Al Zeyoudi emphasised the significant potential to further strengthen the existing economic ties between the two nations through enhanced trade, investment, and collaboration in key areas of mutual interest.

During the meetings, he highlighted the continued growth of UAE-US trade, noting that the United States is the UAE’s sixth-largest trading partner globally. In 2024, bilateral non-oil trade reached $38 billion, reflecting a substantial growth of 44.5 per cent over the past five years. This positive momentum has continued into 2025, with the first half of the year seeing bilateral non-oil trade amounting to $19.3 billion.

“The UAE and the US are enduring partners, driven by the same pursuit of innovation, development and economic growth. There remain many opportunities to further strengthen our economic ties in order to achieve mutual benefit,” Al Zeyoudi stated. “Together, we can unlock new avenues for innovation, create jobs, and lead global efforts to develop and expand new fields that are pivotal to the global economy. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with the United States to develop the technologies of the future, driving global prosperity and sustainability.”

At the UAE-US Business Council meeting, Al Zeyoudi pointed to several ongoing collaborations that exemplify the robust partnership between UAE and US businesses. In the clean energy sector, the partnership between ADQ and Energy Capital Partners has resulted in a significant $25 billion joint venture aimed at investing in US energy production.

Furthermore, Emirates Global Aluminium has invested $4 billion to construct the first new aluminium smelter in the US in 45 years, a move that will create thousands of American jobs and bolster the production of semiconductors and electric vehicles.

At the US Chamber of Commerce, Al Zeyoudi emphasised the growth potential of UAE-US economic ties and worked to strengthen relations between the two close economic allies.

Attendees from the US side included various prominent public sector officials, reflecting a shared commitment to fostering collaboration.

The discussions, which took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, laid the groundwork for a continued partnership that not only enhances trade relations but also promotes mutual growth and technological advancement in both countries.

In May this year, the United States President Donald Trump’s visit to the UAE marks a significant step in strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations.

The visit underscores the shared commitment to building on long-term economic relations and exploring new opportunities for collaboration.

Highlighting the trade aspect, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, noted the importance of the United States as a key trade partner, highlighting the ongoing efforts to elevate the partnership to new heights of growth and prosperity.

“The United States is a close partner and friend to the United Arab Emirates, and we look forward to further strengthening our bilateral trade relations and ensuring that our shared path of prosperity continues by promoting the smooth flow of goods, services, and capital necessary to stimulate shared economic growth,” he stated.

Al Zeyoudi further emphasised the significant trade volume between the two countries, noting that the US remains the UAE’s largest trading partner outside Asia and its sixth-largest globally, accounting for 4 percent of the UAE’s total non-oil trade, which reached $32.8 billion in 2024.

This robust trade relationship is expected to grow further as both nations actively seek to stimulate intra-regional trade and investment in sectors of mutual interest, such as clean energy, sustainable industrial development, and advanced technology.

Last year, Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi visited San Francisco and nearby Silicon Valley, which was aimed at boosting economic cooperation and exploring partnerships between the UAE and the United States, especially in advanced technology.

Dr Thani held several discussions with stakeholders, leading technology companies, and local entrepreneurs, during which he sought to identify potential partnerships in high-priority fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and climate tech.

In his meetings, the minister outlined the UAE’s advanced technology ambitions and investment-friendly business environment, extending an invitation to US investors, start-ups, and skilled professionals to explore its expansion opportunities.

Discussions focused on joint projects, research collaboration, and exchanging knowledge and expertise in cutting-edge disciplines such as AI, data analytics and sustainable technologies.

WAM