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Defence and tech at forefront of UAE leader’s historic US visit

By Gavin Gibbon
The meeting was the first between UAE and US leaders on American soil Reuters
The meeting was the first between UAE and US leaders on American soil
  • First UAE-US meeting in America
  • Trade agreement signed
  • Tech leaders discussed AI

Defence and technology were among the key topics of discussion during UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s official visit to the US this week.

“The strategic and enduring partnership that unites our countries is unwavering,” said Sheikh Mohamed, after what was the first meeting between sitting UAE and US presidents on American soil since the UAE was founded in 1971.

A joint framework statement called for “deeper ties” in the field of artificial intelligence between the two countries, and this was emphasised through further meetings in Washington between Sheikh Mohamed and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

UAE US visit: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with Microsoft CEO Satya NadellaWam
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella

All three tech giants are strong investors in the UAE. Microsoft, in particular, this year committed $1.5 billion to support UAE-backed AI company G42’s global expansion strategy.

Earlier this month G42 and Microsoft announced plans to open two centres in Abu Dhabi to advance work on “responsible” AI practices.

G42, which is chaired by the UAE’s national security adviser, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and backed by investors, including the UAE sovereign fund Mubadala and the US private equity company Silver Lake, has also formed a partnership with Nvidia, the US computer chip giant, to set up a climate tech laboratory in Abu Dhabi, aimed at better predicting the weather using AI.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi and Jake Sullivan, US national security advisor, signed an agreement on artificial intelligence cooperationWam
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi and Jake Sullivan, US national security adviser, signed an agreement on artificial intelligence cooperation

The ties extend to the recently announced Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership, which includes UAE-based technology company MGX, Microsoft, BlackRock, and other major players.

“The CEOs of the three companies expressed their keen interest to continue their collaboration with the UAE in advanced technology, acknowledging the significance of the UAE’s AI strategy,” reported UAE state-run news agency Wam.

During the historic visit this week, further discussions took place around trade, investment, space and climate action.

Ali Mohammed Al Shamsi, chairman of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, and part of the UAE delegation in the US, and Troy Miller, acting commissioner of US customs and border protection, signed a deal to improve economic, trade and customs cooperation

Ali Mohammed Al Shamsi, pictured with Troy Miller, said the agreement would strengthen trade between the US and UAEWam
Ali Mohammed Al Shamsi, pictured with Troy Miller, said the agreement would strengthen trade between the US and UAE

Since 2009, the UAE has been the number one export market for US goods in the Middle East and North Africa region. In 2023, bilateral trade between the UAE and the US totalled $31.4 billion.

Talks were also dominated by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as both leaders looked to ease increasing tensions.

President Biden named the UAE a major defence partner of the US.

The UAE is only the second country, alongside India, to receive such a designation from the US, which allows for close military cooperation through joint training, exercises and other collaborative efforts.

Sheikh Mohamed also met with US secretary of state Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan as part of his official visit.

Sheikh Mohamed and US secretary of state Antony Blinken discussed the importance of dealing with regional conflictsWam
Sheikh Mohamed and US secretary of state Antony Blinken discussed the importance of dealing with regional conflicts

“They stressed the importance of preventing a wider escalation of the conflict, which threatens to further endanger peace and stability in the region,” reported Wam.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democrat nominee for November’s US elections, met separately with the UAE leader, but the talks were closed to the press.

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