Trading Partner Portal: United Arab Emirates
Trade Overview
The United Arab Emirates enjoys a high per capita income and an open economy with a substantial trade surplus. Oil was discovered in the UAE in the 1950s and Abu Dhabi was one of the first emirates to begin exporting oil. Since the discovery and export of oil, the UAE has transformed into an economy with a high standard of living. The UAE has been a member of the WTO since 1996 and a member of GATT since 1994. The UAE has a population of approximately 11.51 million and a nominal GDP of $552.32 billion as of 2025. (U.S. Department of Commerce, World Bank)
U.S. – UAE Trade
Two-way goods trade between the United States and the UAE was approximately $39.02 billion in 2025.
The United States exported $31.42 billion in goods to the UAE in 2025. Top exports consisted of transportation equipment ($9.15 billion), computer and electronic products ($6.67 billion), primary metal manufactures ($2.17 billion), miscellaneous manufactures ($2.17 billion), and used or second-hand merchandise ($1.92 billion).
Goods imports from the UAE to the U.S. were over $7.61 billion, with the top categories being primary metal manufacturing ($1.93 billion), goods returned ($1.35 billion), chemicals ($912 million), oil and gas ($725 million), and petroleum & coal products ($471 million).
UAE – California Trade
In 2025, California exported $2.70 billion to the UAE, with agricultural products making up $698 million of the total. This was followed by computer and electronic products ($621 million), used or secondhand merchandise ($291 million), transportation equipment ($255 million), and miscellaneous manufactures ($192 million).
Goods imports for this same year totaled at $1.13 billion, with oil and gas being the top product category going to the U.S. at $697 million, roughly 61.7% of the total. Other top imports included primary metals manufactures ($137 million), reimports ($79 million), petroleum and coal products ($49 million), and miscellaneous manufactures ($37 million). California is the #2 importer from the UAE out of all 50 states.
FDI – UAE
U.S. FDI in the UAE totaled $17.6 billion in 2025, and UAE FDI into the U.S. totaled $14.7 billion in the same year. UAE FDI contributed to 33,200 jobs in the U.S. And $2.6 billion went to expanding U.S. exports from Emirati-owned firms. Roughly $1.5 billion was invested in research and development as well.
The top industry sectors for UAE FDI were transportation, business services, software & IT services, communications, energy, and real estate. Select USA, Bureau of Economic Analysis
More Articles:
CalChamber Resources
- National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce
- American Chamber of Commerce in Abu Dhabi
- Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- American Chamber of Commerce in MENA
- Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- UAE Consulates in California
- International Trade FAQs
Business
- United Arab Emirates Government
- Abu Dhabi Investment Office
- Dubai Silicon Oasis
- U.S. Commercial Service – United Arab Emirates
- UAE – U.S. Economic Relations
- Exporting from the US to the UAE