The United Arab Emirates and the United States

Recognition and Resident Representation

The federation emerged as Britain withdrew from its treaty relationships with the Trucial States. Its 1968 announcement prompted negotiations among the Gulf rulers over common institutions and external security. Six emirates formed the UAE in December 1971; Ras al-Khaimah joined in February 1972. [7]

The United States recognized the new United Arab Emirates on 3 December 1971, one day after the federation’s declaration of independence. Diplomatic relations followed on 20 March 1972, when William Stoltzfus presented credentials while continuing to reside in Kuwait. The initial American channel therefore served the federation through an envoy accredited to several Gulf states. Michael Sterner presented credentials as the first resident American ambassador in June 1974, and the UAE established its Washington embassy that year. [1] [2]

Security Cooperation and Commercial Negotiations

Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait brought closer military coordination. The UAE provided financial and logistical support to the American led coalition and committed its own troops. A defense agreement in 1994 authorized an American military presence and equipment within the federation. The diplomatic relationship also acquired a commercial negotiating structure through the 2004 Trade and Investment Framework Agreement. Talks on a comprehensive free trade agreement began in 2005 but were subsequently suspended; the embassy’s chronology records continued discussions under the earlier trade framework. [3]

Negotiating a Civilian Nuclear Program

Civilian nuclear cooperation required a different bargain. In April 2008, Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice signed a memorandum in Bahrain. The UAE announced that its proposed program would rely on external nuclear fuel supplies and would forgo domestic enrichment and reprocessing. Its statement presented a further agreement under Section 123 of American atomic energy law as the necessary basis for trade in significant nuclear commodities. [4]

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba signed the resulting agreement in Washington on 21 May 2009, and President Barack Obama submitted it to Congress. Entry into force followed on 17 December after the required procedures. The agreement’s safeguards and restrictions defined the conditions for civilian nuclear commerce between the two countries. [5] [6]

Regional Normalization and Advanced Technology

Washington hosted a further diplomatic turning point in September 2020, when the UAE and Israel signed a treaty establishing full relations. President Trump witnessed the agreement, which provided for ambassadors, commercial negotiations, travel, and cooperation with the United States on a regional agenda. [8]

At the September 2024 leaders’ meeting, Biden designated the UAE a Major Defense Partner, while the governments also endorsed principles for cooperation on artificial intelligence. Their agenda linked advanced technology to safeguards, investment, research, and the energy needed to power digital infrastructure. Discussion of Gaza included calls for a ceasefire and hostage releases. [9]