In March 2025, the United Arab Emirates committed to a 10-year, $1.4 trillion investment framework in the United States, focusing on AI infrastructure, semiconductors, energy, and manufacturing. This agreement stemmed from meetings between UAE officials, including Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and U.S. President Donald Trump, alongside Vice President JD Vance and cabinet members. Key initiatives include a $25 billion partnership between UAE’s ADQ and U.S. firm Energy Capital Partners for energy infrastructure and data centers, and an investment by Emirates Global Aluminium for a new U.S. aluminum smelter, the first in 35 years, aiming to nearly double U.S. production.
This deal builds on a robust trade relationship, with 2024 U.S. goods exports to the UAE at $27 billion and imports at $7.5 billion, yielding a $19.5 billion U.S. trade surplus. The UAE’s total direct investment in the U.S. exceeds $1 trillion, spanning real estate, renewable energy, and technology. The agreement aligns with prior frameworks like the 2004 U.S.-UAE Trade and Investment Framework Agreement and the 2012 Economic Policy Dialogue, enhancing economic ties.
No formal free trade agreement was signed in 2025, but the investment framework significantly expands economic cooperation. For comparison, the UAE has pursued trade deals elsewhere, like a 2024 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Australia and ongoing talks with the EU, reflecting its global trade ambitions.