The UAE has committed to a 10-year, $1.4 trillion investment framework in the US following meetings between top UAE officials and President Donald Trump, the White House announced on Friday. This initiative aims to enhance the UAE’s existing investments in sectors including artificial intelligence infrastructure, semiconductors, energy and manufacturing.
While the White House did not detail how the $1.4 trillion figure will be achieved, some agreements within the framework had been previously disclosed Reuters reported. Notably, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) plans to build the first new aluminium smelter in the US in 35 years, a project expected to nearly double domestic aluminium production. An EGA spokesperson stated, “Developing a primary aluminium smelter in the US has been part of EGA’s ambitions for several years.”
The UAE, a significant oil producer and longstanding US security partner, seeks to deepen investment ties with Washington and is emerging as a global leader in AI, aiming to diversify its economy beyond energy. In September, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met former US President Joe Biden to discuss cooperation in areas such as AI, investments, and space exploration.
Gulf sovereign wealth funds, including Abu Dhabi’s $330-billion Mubadala, are already substantial US investors. President Trump has encouraged Middle Eastern allies to increase investments in the US economy, including purchases of military equipment.
The White House noted that the UAE’s investment framework resulted from a meeting between President Trump and UAE national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the Oval Office, as well as a dinner attended by Vice President JD Vance, several cabinet members, and the UAE delegation, which included leaders of major UAE sovereign wealth funds and corporations.
Among the partnerships highlighted is a collaboration between UAE sovereign wealth fund ADQ and US private equity firm Energy Capital Partners, focusing on a $25 billion US-centered initiative to invest in energy infrastructure and data centres. Additionally, XRG, the international investment arm of UAE state oil company ADNOC, has committed to supporting US natural gas production by investing in the NextDec.
