WASHINGTON, D.C./DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates is significantly expanding its financial footprint in the U.S. with a new investment framework valued at US$1.4 trillion over the next decade, the White House announced this week.

The plan follows high-level meetings this week between UAE officials and President Donald Trump.

The framework aims to "substantially increase the UAE's existing investments in the U.S. economy" across sectors such as AI infrastructure, semiconductors, energy, and manufacturing, the White House said in a statement.

While the White House did not detail how the $1.4 trillion figure would be achieved, some of the investments highlighted have already been announced. The only fully new deal appears to be Emirates Global Aluminum's investment in building what would be the first new aluminum smelter in the U.S. in 35 years.

"Developing a primary aluminium smelter in the U.S. has been part of EGA's ambitions for several years," a company spokesperson said.

The UAE, a key U.S. ally and energy producer, is aggressively pursuing diversification and positioning itself as a global player in artificial intelligence. Investments in American tech and energy infrastructure are part of its long-term strategy.

Last September, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made the first official White House visit by a UAE head of state, meeting with former President Joe Biden to discuss deepening cooperation in areas including AI, investment, and space exploration.

Gulf sovereign wealth funds like Abu Dhabi's $330 billion Mubadala already have substantial U.S. holdings, and Trump has longstanding business relationships in the region.

Trump has also pushed for similar investment commitments from Saudi Arabia. In January, he urged the kingdom to invest over $1 trillion in the U.S. and hinted he may travel there soon to finalize an agreement.

The UAE deal followed an Oval Office meeting this week between Trump and UAE national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan and a dinner attended by Vice President JD Vance, cabinet members, and UAE business leaders.

Among the deals was a previously announced $25 billion initiative between UAE sovereign fund ADQ and U.S. firm Energy Capital Partners to invest in energy infrastructure and data centers.

Also highlighted was XRG's commitment to support U.S. LNG production through the NextDecade export facility in Texas—a deal first announced under the Biden administration.