WASHINGTON — The United States has granted the United Arab Emirates (UAE) expanded access to advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips and other sensitive technologies after the Gulf nation supported recent U.S. military operations against Iran.
The policy change, confirmed by the U.S. Commerce Department, removes many licensing requirements for exports of advanced AI chips, military equipment, commercial satellites, and other dual-use technologies to the UAE. According to The Wall Street Journal, the decision follows the UAE's military support during the recent U.S. campaign against Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury.
During the operation, the UAE reportedly carried out dozens of airstrikes against Iranian targets, including a strike on a refinery located on Iran's Lavan Island. Emirati forces also intercepted hundreds of Iranian missiles and helped maintain the safe movement of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy trade routes.
UAE Moved to Highest U.S. Export Category
Under the new policy, the U.S. Commerce Department has reclassified the UAE into its highest export tier, placing it alongside close American partners such as European countries, South Korea, and India.
Previously, the UAE was subject to stricter export controls that limited access to advanced U.S. technologies. The updated classification allows many sensitive technologies to be exported without the standard licensing process.
The decision enables the UAE's state-backed artificial intelligence companies, G42 and Core42, to purchase advanced semiconductors from U.S. manufacturers, including Nvidia, more easily.
It also removes regulatory barriers for major American technology companies such as Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI, allowing them to move forward with plans to build large-scale AI data centers in the UAE.
The UAE is currently the only country in the Middle East to receive this level of unrestricted access to U.S. technology.
Part of UAE's Technology Strategy
The expanded access supports the UAE's long-term strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil by investing in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure.
The Wall Street Journal also reported that G42 is taking steps toward becoming a U.S. company as part of its broader effort to strengthen technology cooperation with the United States.
The Commerce Department's decision follows earlier approvals that allowed shipments of thousands of advanced AI chips to support AI infrastructure projects in the UAE. Companies including Microsoft previously received authorization to supply high-performance Nvidia GPUs for data center projects in the country.
Access to advanced processors is expected to support AI model development, expansion of data centers, and other technology initiatives across the UAE.
Political and Security Questions Raised
The decision has also drawn attention from some members of the U.S. Congress, who have questioned both its timing and potential national security implications.
Critics have pointed to financial links between UAE leadership and President Donald Trump's family. Before Trump's second inauguration, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE's National Security Advisor and chairman of G42, directed a $500 million investment to acquire a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency venture launched by the Trump family.
Senator Elizabeth Warren said the investment generated significant financial benefits for President Trump shortly before the Commerce Department approved license-free technology exports to the UAE. Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove has also questioned whether the policy change could represent an improper exchange of financial and political benefits.
National security experts have raised separate concerns over the protection of advanced U.S. technology. U.S. intelligence agencies had previously expressed concerns that G42 provided technology to China that could benefit the People's Liberation Army. G42 has denied those allegations.
Some former U.S. officials have also argued that hosting some of the world's largest AI data centers outside the United States could increase the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive technologies.
U.S. and UAE Defend the Agreement
Both the White House and the UAE have rejected allegations of any conflict of interest related to the technology agreement.
Jeffrey Kessler of the U.S. Commerce Department described the regulatory change as "one of the most significant achievements of the administration." The department said the UAE has implemented strong security measures designed to prevent sensitive American technology from being diverted or misused.
UAE Ambassador to the United States Yousef Al Otaiba welcomed the decision, saying the expanded access strengthens decades of close cooperation between the two countries.
U.S. officials have also described the policy as recognition of the UAE's long-standing cooperation on regional security, including its role during recent operations against Iran. The agreement further strengthens bilateral ties while expanding opportunities for U.S. technology companies operating in the Gulf region.
Source : wsj
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