Earlier this year, it was announced that the U.S. and the UAE had reached a preliminary agreement allowing the UAE to import 500,000 of Nvidia’s most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips annually, starting in 2025.
Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s endorsement during his visit to the UAE in May 2025, the U.S. administration has put the deal on hold due to concerns that the AI chips could end up in China.
This move is prompting a measured response from Abu Dhabi’s senior leadership, particularly from UAE National Security Advisor and G42 Chairman Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed.
The note provides a comprehensive overview of the following aspects:
- Sheikh Tahnoon’s stance on the U.S. decision
- His strategy to reactivate the deal, including a set of proposals
The note also mentions other suppliers the UAE would consider cooperating with if the Nvidia deal collapses.
