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The US unveiled a “fast track” investment process for allied countries, days before President Donald Trump visits Gulf nations that have pledged to sink billions of dollars into US businesses and infrastructure including AI.
Gulf states, who are estimated to manage 40 per cent of the world’s sovereign wealth and are some of the biggest investors in the US, have long lobbied to ease what they consider onerous administrative requirements that can slow down their spending in the US.
The United Arab Emirates in particular is in a hurry to partner with American technology firms as it pushes to become the region’s pre-eminent hub for artificial intelligence. The UAE announced in March that it would invest $1.4tn in the US over 10 years.
The US Department of Treasury on Thursday said it would launch a portal where its Committee of Foreign Investment in the US (Cfius) would gather information from overseas investors before they file for an investment.
It also said the department was “focused on increasing efficiencies in the Cfius process” to allow more investment from partner countries where “there is verifiable distance and independence from foreign adversaries or threat actors”.
Abu Dhabi has sought to convince US officials that it has opted to partner with America on AI and has shunned China, and wants better access to powerful semiconductors made by US firms such as Nvidia.
US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent said the agency was “committed to maintaining and enhancing the open investment environment that benefits our economy, while making sure that process efficiencies do not diminish our ability to identify and address national security risks that can accompany foreign investment”.
President Trump will next week visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, accompanied by US executives.
Although Riyadh has already pledged to invest $600bn in the US over the next four years, and the UAE has touted $1.4tn worth of investments in the coming decade, analysts anticipate that details of investment plans are likely to be discussed during the presidential visit.
President Trump signed an America First Investment Policy directive in February, promising to make the US “the world’s greatest destination for investment dollars” while preventing investment from Chinese government entities and other “foreign adversaries”.
