The UAE has committed to a 10-year, US$1.4 trillion investment framework in the United States following high-level meetings between UAE officials and Donald Trump, the White House announced on Friday.
The initiative aims to expand the UAE’s existing investments in AI, semiconductors, energy, and manufacturing. Among the key deals, Emirates Global Aluminium plans to build the first new aluminium smelter in the US in 35 years, nearly doubling domestic production. “Developing a primary aluminium smelter in the US has been part of EGA’s ambitions for several years,” a company spokesperson stated.
The UAE, a major oil producer and long-standing US security partner, is strengthening investment ties as it seeks to diversify its economy beyond energy. The Gulf nation has also positioned itself as a leader in AI, a sector at the heart of its economic strategy.
In September, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met former US President Joe Biden at the White House to discuss cooperation in AI, investment, and space exploration. UAE sovereign wealth funds, including Abu Dhabi’s US$330 billion Mubadala, have long been major investors in the US.
Trump, who has business ties in the Gulf, has urged Saudi Arabia to invest over US$1 trillion in the US economy and is expected to visit the kingdom soon to finalise an investment deal.
The UAE agreement followed a meeting between President Trump and Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed in the Oval Office, along with a dinner hosted by Vice President JD Vance and key cabinet members.
A notable collaboration includes a US$25 billion partnership between UAE’s ADQ and US private equity firm Energy Capital Partners to invest in energy infrastructure and data centres.
