The visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been widely recognized by Emirati and American business leaders as a crucial moment for enhancing the strategic partnership between the two nations and broadening cooperation in essential future-oriented sectors such as technology, energy, and investment.
Humaid Mohamed Ben Salem, secretary-general of the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), indicated that President Trump’s visit delivers significant momentum to collaborative investment opportunities, particularly in vital sectors, including AI, space, renewable energy, healthcare, and advanced technology.
He emphasized that the UAE already hosts over 1,800 American companies and that this number is anticipated to grow due to the visit’s favorable impact. Ben Salem also pointed to the UAE’s involvement in the “SelectUSA” Investment Summit in Maryland from May 11 to 14, as evidence of the robust ties between the private sectors in both countries and a key platform to enhance bilateral collaboration.
New era of collaboration
Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-UAE Business Council, characterized the visit as a defining milestone that opens a new chapter of cross-border collaboration, particularly in areas such as AI, advanced technologies, energy, and defense.
Sebright noted that UAE investments in the U.S. have surpassed $1 trillion, encompassing landmark projects in AI infrastructure, clean energy, and manufacturing. Among these is a substantial partnership involving UAE-based MGX, Microsoft, and xAI to develop advanced AI infrastructure in the U.S., under a project dubbed “AI Infrastructure Partnership,” with anticipated investments of $100 billion and the creation of 20,000 jobs.
He also referenced ADQ’s $25 billion agreement with Energy Capital Partners to supply power to U.S. data centers, ADNOC’s expanding portfolio in low-carbon energy and natural gas infrastructure in collaboration with ExxonMobil and OMV, and Emirates Global Aluminium’s initiative to establish the first new aluminum smelter in the U.S. in over three decades.
Trusted economic partnership
Sebright underscored that these investments signify a long-standing, trusted economic partnership. Additional strategic ventures include Masdar’s clean energy projects across multiple U.S. states and Mubadala’s crucial investment in GlobalFoundries, generating over 18,000 direct and indirect jobs in New York State alone.
In the nuclear energy sector, Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC), highlighted the UAE’s collaboration with major U.S. nuclear technology firms as a global benchmark for responsible and peaceful nuclear development.
Investing in future capabilities
Al Hammadi explained that ENEC is actively investing in next-generation nuclear technologies and microreactors through partnerships with companies such as TerraPower, Westinghouse, and X-energy. These initiatives are part of the ENEC ADVANCE Programme, launched in 2023, aimed at advancing nuclear capabilities both within the UAE and internationally—including in the United States, where the clean energy sector is experiencing significant growth.
President Trump’s visit to the UAE emphasizes the depth of U.S.-UAE relations and a collective vision for future-oriented cooperation. It signifies a joint commitment to strengthen ties not only in politics and security but also across key sectors shaping the global economy—fostering stability, innovation, and prosperity for both nations and the wider region.
