Source : WAM
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, concluded a working visit to Washington, where he held high-level bilateral meetings with senior US administration officials and members of the Senate.
During the visit, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah emphasized with U.S. officials the importance of maintaining regional stability, countering extremism, and strengthening the UAE-U.S. strategic partnership.
In discussions with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed the historical strategic relations between the two nations and explored opportunities to further enhance cooperation across multiple sectors, including the economy, artificial intelligence, advanced technology, energy security, and defence.
The two sides also reviewed regional and international developments, highlighting the need for continuous coordination and consultation to support stability, peace, and coexistence.
Sheikh Abdullah also met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent; Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick; Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum; the U.S. President’s Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos; Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg; and U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Ambassador Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun.
The discussions highlighted significant progress regarding the UAE’s commitment last year to invest $1.4 trillion in the United States over the next decade, building on more than $1 trillion already invested. The breadth of the economic partnership between the two friendly nations was also emphasized.
In 2025, bilateral trade reached $35.8 billion, with the UAE remaining the leading destination for U.S. exports in the Middle East and North Africa since 2009, and one of the few countries globally where the U.S. maintains a consistent trade surplus.
Cooperation has also expanded into high-tech sectors, following the U.S. authorisation to export advanced AI semiconductors to the UAE and the implementation of frameworks such as the UAE-U.S. Framework on Advanced Technology Cooperation and the PAX Silica initiative.
Additionally, Sheikh Abdullah held meetings with Senators Chris Van Hollen, Andy Kim, Jacky Rosen, Brian Schatz, and Mark Warner, reflecting strong bipartisan support for the UAE-U.S. partnership.
Sheikh Abdullah participated in the inaugural Board of Peace meeting convened by President Donald Trump, joining world leaders and policymakers to discuss regional stability. He praised President Trump’s efforts to end the war in Gaza and his commitment to long-term peace in the region.
The UAE’s top diplomat also announced an additional US$1.2 billion in support for Gaza through the Board of Peace, noting that the UAE has provided nearly $3 billion in assistance to the Palestinian people in Gaza since the outbreak of the war.
Beyond official meetings, Sheikh Abdullah engaged with leading experts and thought leaders in Washington to exchange perspectives on regional developments and opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
UAE Ambassador to the U.S. Yousef Al Otaiba said, “After more than five decades of strategic partnership, UAE-US relations continue to be anchored in deep levels of trust and mutual understanding. The two countries are working closely to advance the responsible development of advanced technology and facilitate investments that support economic growth, contributing to the foundations of peace and sustainable stability in the Middle East.”
Sheikh Abdullah’s working visit to Washington highlighted the depth of the strategic partnership between the UAE and the United States, built on trust and shared interests. The UAE continues to collaborate with the US to promote peace, stability, shared prosperity, and responsible innovation, including establishing global standards for the safe development of nuclear energy and artificial intelligence.
The UAE delegation included Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Minister of State; and Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the U.S.
