UAE Foreign Minister reaffirms strengthening ties with the US
But Washington is concerned about the UAE's warm relationship with China and the US's commitment to the Gulf nation's security.
UAE Strengthens Ties with the US Amid Political Engagement
The UAE is strengthening its relationship with the United States, the Gulf country’s foreign minister said on Friday, a sign of warming ties after several friction points during the Biden presidency, Reuters reports.
Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan made the comments after the UAE’s ruler held separate talks this week with US President Joe Biden, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump.
Emirati leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited the United States for the first time since taking office. This is the first visit to the US by a sitting Emirati president since the establishment of the UAE in 1971.
During the visit, Biden recognized the Gulf state as a key security partner.
“My country, the United Arab Emirates, is doubling down on its relationship with the United States,” Sheikh Abdullah said in a statement to Reuters, without giving details.
Being recognized as a major security partner is a welcome development, he said, reflecting confidence in US policy.
The UAE is a security partner of the United States, has fought alongside US forces in several military campaigns, including the war in Afghanistan, and has US troops stationed in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates also depends on the US security umbrella in the Gulf.
But Washington is concerned about the UAE’s warm relationship with China and the US’s commitment to the Gulf nation’s security.
Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah said Abu Dhabi looked forward to continuing to work with Washington.
“The UAE is very optimistic about the United States,” he said.
This year, Washington and Abu Dhabi deepened cooperation on artificial intelligence, but only after a state-backed Emirati tech firm pledged to phase out Chinese hardware from its systems and sell Chinese investments.
Microsoft is now a major investor in state-backed company G42. Sheikh Mohammed this week met Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and chipmaker Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.
