Washington eased export controls for the U.A.E., removing license requirements for advanced AI chips and other sensitive technologies in a move that sets the Gulf state apart from regional peers.
The United Arab Emirates has secured broader access from the United States to advanced artificial-intelligence chips after supporting Washington in recent months through dozens of airstrikes against Iran, intercepting hundreds of missiles and helping keep oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz. Around July 10-11, 2026, the Commerce Department eased export controls for the U.A.E., effectively removing license requirements for advanced AI chips, military equipment, commercial satellites and other dual-use items for government entities and selected companies. Named beneficiaries include G42 and Core42 in the U.A.E., alongside Amazon, Apple, xAI, Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI and Oracle on the U.S. side. The policy builds on a 2025 bilateral agreement that had already allowed the U.A.E. to import hundreds of thousands of Nvidia AI chips. No other Middle Eastern country has received similar treatment, reinforcing the U.A.E.'s standing after its 2024 designation as a Major Defense Partner and underscoring how access to advanced computing has become a strategic tool in diplomacy and regional competition.