Today's Edition
WASHINGTON (ALETIHAD)
The UAE has welcomed the US government's decision to elevate the country to Country Group A:5 under US export control regulations, a move expected to expand technology cooperation and facilitate exports of a range of advanced US technologies to the UAE.
In a statement, Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE Ambassador to the US, said: “This decision affirms and advances decades of deep and dependable UAE-US cooperation in technology, security, trade and investment.”
The US Department of Commerce said it is reclassifying the UAE to Export Administration Regulations (EAR) Country Group A:5 in recognition of the UAE's status as a US Major Defence Partner and its support for advancing US national security interests. At the same time, the UAE will be removed from Country Groups D:3 and D:4, easing a number of existing export restrictions.
According to the Commerce Department, the new designation will make the UAE Government and approved commercial entities eligible for licence-free exports, re-exports and in-country transfers of a range of US-controlled items under the Strategic Trade Authorisation (STA) licence exception.
These include certain military items controlled by the Commerce Department, selected commercial satellites and spacecraft, as well as dual-use technologies used in sectors such as oil and gas production, desalination and civil nuclear power generation.
The department said the changes would support the UAE's commercial and infrastructure requirements while strengthening the country's ability to support shared US interests in the Middle East. It added that the special status reflects the longstanding US-UAE military partnership and the UAE's commitment to preventing the diversion and misuse of sensitive US technology.
The Commerce Department also said that, consistent with the US-UAE Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Framework signed in May 2025, it is approving the UAE Government and certain companies to receive advanced computing items, including AI chips and servers, without individual export licences.
It said the UAE has reaffirmed its commitments under the framework, including matching investments in US AI digital infrastructure.
Al Otaiba said the latest decision builds on a long history of bilateral cooperation. “Across six presidential administrations, the UAE has demonstrated that it is one of the most steadfast US allies,” he said.
The ambassador noted that the US designated the UAE as a Major Defence Partner in 2024, a status held by only one other country, reflecting the depth of trust in the bilateral relationship.
He added that the UAE is the US' largest trading partner and export destination in the Middle East and North Africa region, while the US enjoys a $23.8 billion trade surplus with the UAE, its fourth largest globally.
“The US has entrusted the UAE and its companies to acquire US civilian nuclear energy technologies and to deploy the most advanced US defence systems,” Al Otaiba said.
“Today’s action opens new doors for joint research and development, deeper technology cooperation, expanded trade and an enhanced defence partnership,” he said. “We look forward to building on this foundation together to create a stable, secure and prosperous future for the people of both nations.”
