The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, in partnership with AmCham Abu Dhabi, convened a hybrid discussion on April 2, 2026, with U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service at the ITA, David L. Fogel. AmCham Abu Dhabi Chairwoman Lina Lampkin virtually joined the in-person discussion between Assistant Secretary Fogel and U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright.
Bottom Line:
- Despite heightened regional tensions, U.S.–U.A.E. commercial ties remain strong, resilient, and a top priority for both governments.
- The U.S. Department of Commerce is actively supporting businesses through information-sharing, supply chain assistance, and investment facilitation, while advancing strategic cooperation in areas such as AI, energy, and manufacturing.
- The U.A.E.’s $1.4 trillion, 10-year investment commitment to the United States and broader economic engagement continue to anchor long-term bilateral momentum.
This discussion, part of a series of briefings the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council has hosted with the business community since the start of the conflict with Iran in February 2026, focused on the U.S. government’s continued support for the commercial relationship. The U.A.E. was the U.S.’s top trade partner in the Middle East in 2025, with over $39 billion in bilateral trade. According to the Department of Commerce, U.S. exports to the U.A.E. supported approximately 122,000 U.S. jobs.
Solidarity and Stability First:
- Assistant Secretary Fogel emphasized U.S. support for the U.A.E. during a difficult period, noting close coordination with teams on the ground and ongoing engagement with Emirati leadership.
- The Assistant Secretary also attended the Middle East Institute’s gala celebrating Dr. Sultan Al Jaber last week.
Commercial Relationship a Top U.S. Priority:
- Assistant Secretary Fogel underscored that the U.A.E. relationship is “of the utmost importance” to the Department of Commerce and aligned with broader U.S. economic strategy.
- He highlighted the scale of engagement, noting that more than 1,500 U.S. companies operate in the U.A.E.
- In 2025, the U.S. exported over $31.4 billion in goods and services to the U.A.E., resulting in a bilateral trade surplus of nearly $23.8 billion, primarily driven by the high quality of U.S. exports.
Investment Flows Driving the Partnership:
- Assistant Secretary Fogel pointed to the U.A.E.’s nearly $1 trillion in existing U.S. investments and reaffirmed momentum behind the new $1.4 trillion, 10-year commitment made last year.
- He highlighted SelectUSA as a key platform for advancing Emirati investment into the U.S., with strong U.A.E. participation expected at the upcoming May 3-6, 2026 summit in Washington, D.C.
AI and Advanced Technology at the Forefront:
- Assistant Secretary Fogel identified AI as the most important technology priority, noting the Administration’s mandate for the U.S. to lead globally.
- He spotlighted a new AI exports program, designed to expand U.S. technology deployment with trusted partners, including the U.A.E.
- The Assistant Secretary also mentioned energy and rare earth minerals as two other priorities for the United States.
Supporting Businesses Through the Crisis:
- The Department of Commerce is actively assisting U.S. companies by:
- Providing real-time, reliable information
- Helping mitigate supply chain disruptions where possible
- Assistant Secretary Fogel emphasized a practical approach: “We are problem solvers—we cannot solve every problem, but we want to help wherever we can.”
Concluding Thought:
As regional conditions stabilize, both sides are focused on accelerating cooperation in AI, energy, manufacturing, and defense, while maintaining business continuity in the interim.
Assistant Secretary Fogel reiterated, “To any U.S. companies or U.A.E. businesses that need assistance—please reach out. We are here to assist.”
To learn more about this event and the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s programming, please contact Maggie Paddock at mpaddock@usuaebusiness.org.