The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will invest $1.4 trillion in the United States over 10 years following a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and UAE’s national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
“This new framework will substantially increase the UAE’s existing investments in the U.S. economy in AI infrastructure, semiconductors, energy, and American manufacturing,” the White House said in a statement announcing the deal.
The UAE’s latest commitment seeks to significantly enhance its investments in critical sectors of the U.S. economy, including artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, energy, and manufacturing, reflecting the deepening economic ties between the U.S. and UAE, the Arab world’s second-largest economy.
The announcement follows a long history of UAE investments in the U.S., including stakes in a variety of major American companies. The UAE has already invested over $1 trillion in the U.S. economy, from acquiring stakes in Chicago’s parking meters to controlling a majority share in Nasdaq-listed chipmaker GlobalFoundries. This latest commitment is seen as a strategic move to reinforce the UAE’s position as a key player in global markets, particularly in emerging technologies.
Major Investments in key sectors
Under the new investment framework, the UAE’s state-backed investment funds, including ADQ and XRG, are set to direct substantial capital into various U.S. industries. For example, ADQ has joined forces with Energy Capital Partners to launch a $25 billion initiative aimed at energy infrastructure and data centers across the U.S.
Meanwhile, XRG, the international investment arm of the UAE’s state-owned oil giant ADNOC, has committed to supporting U.S. natural gas production through an investment in the NextDecade liquefied natural gas export facility in Texas. These investments are part of a broader strategy to focus on gas, chemicals, energy infrastructure, and low-carbon solutions—areas critical for both U.S. energy security and the global transition to cleaner energy sources.
Strategic partnerships and high-level meetings
The landmark investment agreement was forged following a series of high-profile meetings in Washington. During the visit, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed met not only with President Trump but also with key U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance and members of Trump’s Cabinet. The discussions were supplemented by a dinner gathering, where both sides explored ways to deepen economic, technological, and security partnerships.
Among those present at the meetings were influential figures from the global tech industry, including Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, and BlackRock’s Larry Fink. Tahnoon and G42 chief executive Peng Xiao also held meetings with Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg CEO of Palantir Technologies Alex Karp, and Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and other tech leaders.
Their presence underscores the UAE’s growing interest in forging connections with the world’s leading tech innovators and positioning itself as a major hub for AI and other advanced technologies. Last year, Microsoft announced a $1.5 billion investment in UAE’s AI and cloud company G42.
US-UAE investment ties
Sheikh Tahnoon’s visit to the U.S. also highlighted the strategic nature of the UAE-U.S. relationship. In a statement issued by the UAE government, Sheikh Tahnoon emphasized the importance of strengthening economic ties between the two nations, particularly in the fields of AI, technology, and infrastructure. He noted the UAE’s commitment to supporting U.S. leadership in these areas, while also underscoring the opportunities for mutual growth and cooperation.
The commitment comes at a time when the U.S. is looking to attract foreign investment to bolster its recovery and innovation sectors, especially in high-tech industries. With this agreement, the UAE aims to play a key role in the future of global digital infrastructure and the development of next-generation technologies.
Looking ahead, the UAE’s $1.4 trillion investment plan represents more than just financial capital; it signals a long-term vision for collaboration in emerging industries that will shape the global economy in the decades to come. As both nations navigate an increasingly interconnected and technology-driven world, the UAE’s investment paves the way for continued bilateral growth and innovation.