UAE And US Discuss Strategies To Strengthen Trade And Investment Relations

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE's Minister of Foreign Trade, recently engaged with key US business leaders and policymakers in New York. He attended a roundtable meeting organised by the UAE-US Business Council and a session hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce. These discussions focused on strengthening economic ties between the two nations.

Al Zeyoudi highlighted the robust trade relationship between the UAE and the US, noting that the US ranks as the UAE's sixth-largest trading partner globally. In 2024, bilateral non-oil trade reached US$38 billion, marking a 44.5 percent increase over five years. The first half of 2025 continued this trend with US$19.3 billion in non-oil trade.

During these meetings, Al Zeyoudi emphasised potential areas for further collaboration in trade and investment. He stated, "The UAE and the US are enduring partners, driven by the same pursuit of innovation, development and economic growth." He expressed optimism about unlocking new opportunities for innovation and job creation through joint efforts.

The discussions also underscored ongoing collaborations that exemplify strong UAE-US business partnerships. A notable example is ADQ's partnership with Energy Capital Partners, which led to a $25 billion joint venture in US energy production. This initiative aims to enhance clean energy investments significantly.

Al Zeyoudi stressed the importance of developing future technologies to drive global prosperity and sustainability. He noted that working closely with the United States could lead to advancements in fields crucial to the global economy. This collaboration aims to foster mutual growth and technological progress.

Another significant investment is Emirates Global Aluminium's $4 billion project to build a new aluminium smelter in the US, creating thousands of jobs. This development will support semiconductor production and electric vehicle manufacturing, highlighting the strategic importance of such investments.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations

The meetings took place alongside the UN General Assembly, providing a platform for reinforcing bilateral relations between these close economic allies. Attendees from both countries included prominent public sector officials committed to fostering collaboration and enhancing trade relations.

The discussions laid a foundation for continued partnership aimed at promoting mutual growth and technological advancement in both countries. Al Zeyoudi's participation underscores a shared commitment to strengthening economic ties for mutual benefit.

With inputs from WAM