Your comprehensive guide to UAE-US robust trade and investment relationship

The UAE and the US are close friends and strong allies. They have shared interests and common values, putting considerable efforts together to promote regional security, create economic prosperity and address pressing global challenges.

From healthcare and security to trade and climate action, the UAE-US bilateral partnerships are helping build a better future for people in both countries. In terms of economic cooperation, the nations enjoy a robust trade and investment partnership.

The UAE has one of the most open economies across the globe. The Gulf state trades with all 50 states in the US. Since 2009, the UAE has been the top US export destination in the Middle East. The UAE-US bilateral trade totalled a sizeable $31.4 billion last year.

High-value trade and investment activities

The volume of US exports and foreign direct investment into the UAE has improved dramatically in recent years and is likely to continue to rise in the future. More than 1,500 US firms have a presence in the Emirates, from Starbucks to ExxonMobil.

The UAE-US trade relationship is characterised by a set of high-value trade and investment activities. UAE investment and exports to the US considerably contribute to the American economy. Their bilateral economic cooperation supports nearly 145,000 US jobs.

UAE direct investment in the US reached $27.6 billion in 2019, according to SelectUSA. There have been several instances of high-value trade and investment. In 2019, Emirates and Boeing finalised a deal for 30 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes, valued at $8.8 billion.

Heavy involvement in terms of energy supplies

Through significant investments in the US for more than 30 years, the UAE has been a reliable and long-term contributor to the US economy, as it continues to provide liquidity to US capital markets, development for US companies and job security for US employees.

In terms of energy, US companies are heavily involved as partners and suppliers to UAE energy companies. Moreover, the UAE is also a consumer of US-produced energy. The GCC nation has recently imported liquefied natural gas from US producers.

The UAE is making a sizeable $15 billion investment in clean energy technologies through Masdar initiative. It is also prominent for its commitment to increase the contribution of clean energy in the national energy mix to 50% by 2050.

US-UAE Business Council advancing relations

The UAE and US continue to explore innovative strategies to enhance an already robust trade partnership. Since 2007, the US-UAE Business Council has been supporting the expansion of the commercial relationship through business-to-business initiatives.

The Business Council is dedicated to advancing bilateral commercial trade relations. It operates in several business verticals, including healthcare, food security, aerospace and defence, finance, manufacturing, energy and tourism.

Texas remains the #1 exporter to the UAE. Exports from Texas are estimated to have supported 37,000 jobs in the state in 2023. In the 2019-2023 period, Texas exported goods worth $17.4 billion. Year-on-year exports increased by 23%, reaching $4.5 billion last year.