The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged a staggering $1.4 trillion investment in the United States over the next decade, a landmark agreement announced by the White House on March 21, 2025. This commitment emerged from a high-profile meeting between UAE officials and U.S. President Donald Trump, signaling a deepening economic partnership between the two nations. The framework targets critical sectors such as AI infrastructure, semiconductors, energy, and manufacturing, aligning with both countries' strategic interests.
The agreement was formalized after Trump met with UAE national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the Oval Office, followed by a dinner hosted by Vice President JD Vance with UAE delegates, including heads of major sovereign wealth funds. While the White House did not specify how the $1.4 trillion figure will be achieved, it noted that some deals within the framework were previously announced. A standout new initiative is Emirates Global Aluminium’s plan to construct the first U.S. aluminum smelter in 35 years, a project expected to nearly double U.S. aluminum production capacity.
This investment reflects a broader trend of Gulf countries strengthening economic ties with the U.S. The UAE’s Mubadala, a $330-billion sovereign wealth fund, is already a significant investor in American markets, with stakes in companies like chipmaker GlobalFoundries. Trump has also been courting Gulf investments, having previously urged Saudi Arabia to commit $1 trillion to the U.S. economy. The UAE’s move comes on the heels of a September 2024 meeting between UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and then-U.S. President Joe Biden, where cooperation in AI, space, and investments was discussed.
The UAE’s diversification agenda, historically supported by projects like the Emirates Aluminium Smelter Complex (EMAL) in Abu Dhabi, underpins this ambitious plan. EMAL, the world’s largest single-site aluminum smelter, highlights the UAE’s industrial capabilities, which it now aims to extend globally. As Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE take on larger roles in U.S. foreign policy and economic collaboration, this $1.4 trillion commitment could reshape bilateral relations, fostering innovation and growth across key industries over the next decade.
