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United Arab Emirates

April 4, 2025

Abu Dhabi 1:12 am

28°C

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 02: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a “Make America Wealthy Again” trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. Touting the event as “Liberation Day”, Trump announced additional tariffs targeting goods imported to the U.S. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

How Trump's latest tariffs impact the Middle East

Gulf countries were relatively spared, with the US imposing only a 10% tariff, whereas other Middle Eastern nations are facing steeper trade penalties.

US President Donald Trump walks toward Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, on March 28, 2025, in Washington.

After major arms sales, Trump to visit Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar: What to know

The president is urging Gulf countries to increase their investment in the US after a series of bilateral economic and defense deals in recent months.

A mockup of Iran-made Mohajer-10 drone is on exhibition during a rally that marks the 46th anniversary of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution in Tehran, Iran, on February 10, 2025. (Photo by Hossein Beris / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by HOSSEIN BERIS/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

US sanctions UAE, China firms in crackdown on Iranian drone supplies

The Justice Department also announced criminal charges against two Iranian nationals and an Iranian company over their alleged roles in the drone-procurement network.

A protestor waves a Turkish flag in front of riot police during a rally in support of Istanbul's arrested mayor in Istanbul, March 24, 2025.

Analysis

Turkey turmoil tests Gulf investors as crackdown fuels market unease

Improved relations with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had raised Ankara's hopes for a dealmaking boom, but the arrest of Istanbul's mayor could jeopardize it.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

UAE, Qatar investments fuel Jared Kushner's firm assets to $4.8 billion

Jared Kushner, founder and CEO of Affinity Partners, and Steve Witkoff, US Middle East envoy, during a panel discussion at the FII Priority summit, Miami Beach, Feb. 20, 2025.

United Arab Emirates

Gulf markets dip after Trump announces 25% automotive tariffs

US President Donald Trump announces tariffs on auto imports in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on March 26, 2025.

Exclusive

'Cloud First' policies give Saudi Arabia, UAE edge in AI race: Amazon exec

Yasser Hassan

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

How UAE AI firm's past China links stalled this US chipmaker's IPO

chip

United Arab Emirates

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Jennifer Gnana

Gulf Correspondent

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

The Prism

AL-Monitor Dubai: Step into The Prism’s world

United Arab Emirates

Diplomatic advisor to the United Arab Emirates President Anwar Gargash arrives to attend the opening ceremony of the Summit on peace in Ukraine, at the luxury Burgenstock resort, near Lucerne, on June 15, 2024.

UAE's Anwar Gargash visits Iran to deliver Trump's letter: What to know

Anwar Gargash's visit to Iran as an interlocutor would mark the Emirates' foray into mediating between Washington and Tehran, a role Abu Dhabi is uniquely placed to play.

Digital generated image of abstract AI chat icons over digital surface.

AL-Monitor FutureVerse: AI superpowers clash

An exclusive sneak peek of an interview with a top Saudi tech diplomat who is helping shape the future of AI collaboration among emerging economies.

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, President of COP28, speaks during the opening ceremony of the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference on Nov. 11, 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

UAE’s XRG to make big investment in US energy, ADNOC chief says

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said his new low-carbon energy company wants to become a one-stop shop for gas in the United States.

United Arab Emirates

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan walks with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates, April 15, 2023.

Analysis

A year on, UAE walks BRICS tightrope amid escalating US-Brazil rhetoric

Trump is likely to go head-to-head with BRICS this year. He has declared the group to be "dead" and threatened to impose 100% tariffs on all imports from the member states if they planned to move against the dollar.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

A man walks near Masjid Al Hudaiba mosque in Dubai on March 6, 2025, during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images)

AL-Monitor Dubai: Hoda Tawakol’s “My Mothers" exhibit at Gallery Isabelle

This week we guide you through exciting new exhibitions that have opened in Dubai, as well as evening events to celebrate the holy month.

United Arab Emirates

AFP via Getty Images

Sudan brings genocide case against UAE at International Court of Justice

Sudan accuses the United Arab Emirates of complicity in genocide over its alleged support for the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, which has been found to have committed atrocities against the Masalit ethnic group in Sudan's West Darfur state.

A picture shows the headquarters of UAE's state oil company ADNOC in Dubai on July 27, 2022.

UAE’s ADNOC, Austria’s OMV merge businesses to create $60B plastics firm

Following the acquisition, the new firm, called Borouge Group International (BGI), will be the world’s fourth-largest polyofin company, said ADNOC and OMV.

United Arab Emirates

Voladymyr Zelenskyy meets with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, on Feb. 17, 2025.

Analysis

Amid US rift and Saudi rivalry, UAE offers Zelenskyy economic lifeline

Gulf countries find themselves in a difficult position as they navigate placating Trump, maintaining good relations with Russia, and engaging with Ukraine while also providing mediation and humanitarian aid.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

The United Arab Emirates' assistant sherpa to BRICS, Khamis Al-Shemeili (far right), poses for the family photo at the first BRICS sherpa meeting: (L-R) South Africa's Xolisa Mfundiso Mabhongo, Russia's Sergey Ryabkov, Indonesia's Tri Tharyat, Ethiopia's Mamo Esmelealem Mihretu, China's Tian Bai, Brazil's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, Brazil's Mauricio Lyrio, Egypt's Ragui Eletreby, India's Periasamy Kumaran, Iran's Majid Samadzadeh Saber, and Saudi Arabia's Ibrahim Alessa, in Brasilia, Feb. 25, 2025.

UAE attends BRICS sherpa meeting as Brazil plans next summit: What to know

The BRICS nations collectively account for nearly 50% of the world’s population and roughly 30% of global gross domestic product

United Arab Emirates

A teamLab immersive artwork.

AL-Monitor Dubai: Art meets science at teamLab Phenomena

This week we transport you to an immersive realm where art, technology and science meet with the opening of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi — the second Middle Eastern outpost for the Japanese art collective.

United Arab Emirates

UAE Sheikh Khaled

UAE, Pakistan expand cooperation during crown prince's first visit: What we know

Pakistan is looking to the UAE for economic help, with recent agreements focused on mining, ports and railways.

United Arab Emirates