US Ambassador Martina Strong has emphasised that UAE & US collaboration poised for expansion

As Martina Strong’s term as US envoy, to the UAE comes to an end, which she had assumed in 2023 at a time of American disengagement from the Middle East, when the post had remained vacant for about two years.

Ms. Strong described co-operation on health, which had begun early, advanced technology, artificial intelligence and space exploration as the key focus areas during her time in the UAE. She said she was “struck by how forward-looking the UAE has been” on artificial intelligence, having had an AI minister since 2017, the first such ministerial appointment in the world. “It’s just remarkable that this country has managed to identify early on that this will be a priority“.  Ms. Strong added that artificial intelligence was also one of the “key centre pieces” of US President Donald Trump’s visit in May.

On assuming his office for the second term, President Donald Trump visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE on the first official overseas trip. The Gulf tour resulted in bilateral deals worth billions of dollars and highlighted the US’s growing pivot towards the region. “It’s no accident that the President came here to the Gulf [first] and it’s no accident that he visited these three countries“, Ms. Strong said.

President Trump was greeted by President Sheikh Mohamed, who bestowed him with the country’s highest civilian honour, “the Order of Zayed”, a reflection of the importance of the relationship between the countries. “I’ve never seen a presidential visit like this. It was so incredibly positive; you could feel it in the atmosphere. The friendship, the partnership. In some moments, I will tell you it was electrifying. It was clear that the President was having a great time. He really enjoyed every stop“, she said of the visit, adding that it was one of the most memorable events in her diplomatic career.

During the visit, in addition to many deals announced, plans for a UAE-US AI Campus in Abu Dhabi were unveiled. The Commerce Department described it as one of the largest outside the US. The campus is part of an AI Acceleration Partnership between the two countries. “The area of collaboration is ripe for expansion”, Ms. Strong said, indicating opportunities beyond AI. During Trump’s visit, a Major Defence Partnership and a partnership programme between the Texas National Guard were announced, increasing defence collaboration. “It’s an area of opportunity where we can do much more together“, the ambassador said. “But what I have found striking is that the best work that we’re doing here is when we’re working together with our Emirati partners“.

Ms. Strong had reflected on her first public appearance, after she arrived in the UAE, when she described the country as an “an anchor” in the region. “I believe that more than ever. The President welcomed and really appreciated Sheikh Mohamed’s thoughts on where the region is headed“, she said.

President Trump’s visit came during heightened turbulence and conflict in the region, from the Gaza Strip to the Red Sea. Both the world leaders have discussed Israel’s war on Gaza and growing tension with Iran, at that time still engaged in nuclear negotiations, with leaders of the Gulf states he visited.

They have talked about the region, they talked about regional security but they also talked about the pathway forward. She emphasised that Washington was on the same path as the UAE, one focused on “prosperity, peace, coexistence, tolerance“.

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