Next week, history will be made as President Sheikh Mohamed steps onto the White House lawn. Not only will he become the first sitting UAE President to receive the recognition of a state visit to the American presidential residence, he will also be paving the way for a new chapter in US-Middle East relations. What began as alliances forged in the desert have now evolved into collaborations that extend to space exploration, cutting-edge technology and high-stakes diplomacy.
This landmark visit, featuring key meetings with US President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and top congressional leaders, signifies much more than mere formalities. It is a powerful testament to how far the UAE-US partnership has come and how vital it is to the future of both nations. As the UAE solidifies its role as a pivotal player in the region, this visit underscores the deepening bonds between the two countries—a relationship that is growing ever more robust since the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020.
The Abraham Accords did not just establish relations between Israel and several Arab states, including the UAE, they supercharged the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. The Emirates emerged from these agreements as a crucial regional mediator and a strategic partner to US. Sheikh Mohamed’s visit highlights the acceleration of this relationship, with US-UAE ties now reaching new heights, driven by shared interests and mutual goals.
Yet, as the UAE strengthens its global position, it also faces the complex realities of regional conflict. As the Gaza crisis drags on with no clear resolution in sight, the UAE has taken on a significant humanitarian role, providing aid and support to those affected. By hosting nearly 2,000 wounded and sick Palestinians from Gaza and their families, and delivering essential supplies, the UAE’s humanitarian efforts demonstrate its commitment to alleviating suffering.
Six newly established desalination plants and two field hospitals treating thousands of patients underscore the scale of the UAE’s response. At the same time, the UAE has also made it clear that there will be no support for post-war reconstruction without meaningful progress toward a Palestinian state. This firm position echoes growing regional frustration over the stagnant peace process.
On the economic front, the US and UAE are deeply intertwined. According to official figures, bilateral trade surged to more than $31 billion last year, with US exports to the UAE jumping 19 per cent, supporting approximately 166,000 American jobs. The first half of this year has already witnessed trade hit $16.9 billion, a trend that shows no signs of slowing. As partners in the global economy, the two countries have become preferred customers in each other’s markets, with billions of dollars flowing both ways.
The UAE’s investments in the US are equally impressive. Mubadala Investment Company, one of the UAE’s sovereign wealth funds, has directed more than $100 billion into US ventures. These investments are reshaping industries, from finance to technology, establishing the UAE as a bridge between the US and the broader Middle East.
Nowhere is the partnership more apparent than in the realm of technology. From Silicon Valley to the Gulf, the US and the Emirates are building the future together. Microsoft’s $1.5 billion investment in Emirati AI company G42 is only the beginning, as the company continues to form partnerships with tech giants like Nvidia and Cerebras. Their joint $1 billion digital investment in Kenya exemplifies how US-UAE tech collaboration is extending its transformative reach into Africa. The prospects of bilateral partnerships between American and Emirati firms globally are far-reaching.
New announcements are anticipated in areas ranging from high-tech co-operation, joint investments and other partnerships
In the energy sector, the collaboration between the US and UAE is undergoing a transformation. What began as traditional oil deals have now expanded into pioneering renewable energy projects. Masdar, the UAE’s renewable energy leader, is making significant inroads into the US market, while the national oil company, Adnoc, is diversifying its portfolio with investments in American energy projects, including the burgeoning hydrogen sector in Texas. The sight of Gulf states investing in hydrogen reflects a paradigm shift in how Gulf-American partnerships are evolving.
The aerospace industry provides another striking example of the relationship’s scale. The Emirates Group’s recent order for 95 additional Boeing aircraft worth $52 billion will support thousands of jobs in the American aerospace sector. This monumental deal exemplifies how the partnership between the UAE and US transcends industries, fostering economic growth and innovation on both sides.
In healthcare, the collaboration is equally transformative. The UAE is tapping into American expertise to build state-of-the-art medical facilities, benefiting patients from Baltimore to Bahrain. Notably, PureHealth’s $490 million investment in Ardent Health Services highlights the growing ties in the health sector, while joint ventures are reshaping healthcare delivery in both nations.
Climate co-operation is yet another cornerstone of this evolving relationship. The Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy between the US and UAE aims to mobilise $100 billion in clean energy investments, advancing shared goals in climate action while balancing energy security and economic growth.
On the defence front, the UAE’s partnership with the US runs deep. Emirati forces have stood alongside American troops on battlefields from Afghanistan to Iraq, demonstrating their commitment to global security. The UAE has also been a key ally in the fight against ISIS and Al Qaeda, playing an expeditionary role in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. This co-operation in counterterrorism has cemented the UAE’s status as one of America’s most dependable military allies in the region.
As Sheikh Mohamed prepares for his historic state visit, expectations are high. New announcements are anticipated in areas ranging from high-tech co-operation, joint investments and other partnerships that could further strengthen both economies. But more than that, this visit represents a blueprint for the future—a new model of international partnership where traditional alliances intersect with cutting-edge innovation.
The outcomes of this visit could reshape diplomatic, economic and technological landscapes, further cementing the UAE’s role as a key ally in the Middle East and a critical player in global economic growth.
In this US-UAE dance, both nations are leading, with each step revealing new opportunities. The partnership has transformed from oil barrels to silicon chips, from desert patrols to space stations – a journey as dramatic as the UAE’s own rise. As the world watches Sheikh Mohamed's visit unfold, it’s clear that he’s not just making history—he’s helping to write the future of US-Middle East relations.
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Brief scores:
Everton 0
Leicester City 1
Vardy 58'
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
More on Quran memorisation:
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m
Winner: Arjan, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Jap Nazaa, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi.
6pm: Al Ruwais Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 1,200m
Winner: RB Lam Tara, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinal.
6.30pm: Shadwell Gold Cup Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Sanad, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
7pm: Shadwell Farm Stallions Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Patrick Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Dubai Canal, Harry Bentley, Satish Seemar.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Squads
Australia: Finch (c), Agar, Behrendorff, Carey, Coulter-Nile, Lynn, McDermott, Maxwell, Short, Stanlake, Stoinis, Tye, Zampa
India: Kohli (c), Khaleel, Bumrah, Chahal, Dhawan, Shreyas, Karthik, Kuldeep, Bhuvneshwar, Pandey, Krunal, Pant, Rahul, Sundar, Umesh
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
MATCH STATS
Wolves 0
Aston Villa 1 (El Ghazi 90 4' pen)
Red cards: Joao Moutinho (Wolves); Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa)
Man of the match: Emi Martinez (Aston Villa)
