AI, aluminum and chips: Decoding UAE's Sheikh Tahnoon's visit to Trump
The Emiratis continue to negotiate with Washington to facilitate access to AI chips produced by US firms.
This week in Washington, President Donald Trump's administration rolled out the red carpet for Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, the United Arab Emirates' influential national security advisor, underscoring the Gulf state's strategic partnership with the United States. The visit came as the UAE continues to lobby for an easing of aluminum tariffs and export controls on the microchips needed to power artificial intelligence.
Trump on Tuesday hosted Sheikh Tahnoon for a White House dinner also attended by senior UAE and US officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
In a statement posted to Truth Social Wednesday morning, Trump said Tahnoon's visit signified “the long-standing ties and bonds of friendship” between the UAE and the United States. Meanwhile, Tahnoon wrote on X that discussions had centered on strengthening economic relations and exploring investment opportunities, particularly in AI and other technologies, infrastructure, energy and health care.
The high-level Emirati official also met with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday to discuss economic cooperation, especially on AI.
