Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Tahnoon Meets Top White House Adviser to Discuss Tech Partnerships Ahead of Trump’s UAE Visit

Abu Dhabi’s Deputy Ruler and UAE National Security Adviser, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, recently met with David Sacks, a leading White House adviser on cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence, to explore new avenues for strengthening AI cooperation between the UAE and the United States.

The high-level meeting, which took place during Mr. Sacks’ visit to the UAE, highlights the growing partnership between the two nations in advanced technologies. Both officials shared images of their encounter on social media platform X, highlighting the strategic importance of their discussions.

“Our dialogue reflects the ongoing momentum in UAE-US economic relations, where collaboration in advanced technologies serves as a cornerstone for building a smart, sustainable digital future that meets the aspirations of future generations,” Sheikh Tahnoon posted.

Echoing these sentiments, Mr. Sacks emphasized the need for the US to deepen its technology alliances. “As Vice President Vance explained in his Paris speech on AI, the US must make itself the partner of choice for our friends and allies — otherwise others will fill that gap. US companies still have the best technology, but we are no longer the only game in town,” he wrote.

Deepening Ties Ahead of Presidential Visit

The meeting comes at a pivotal time, just days before US President Donald Trump is scheduled to make his first official visit to the UAE as president. His Middle East tour will also include stops in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, reflecting the region's strategic importance in US foreign policy.

David Sacks, a prominent figure in Silicon Valley and a close technology adviser to President Trump, has been at the forefront of shaping US policy on digital assets and AI. In March, he organized what President Trump described as the first White House Crypto Summit, marking a significant shift in the administration's stance on cryptocurrencies.

Once skeptical of digital currencies, President Trump has evolved into a vocal supporter. His journey from critic to advocate was evident in the summit, which gathered key industry leaders including Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, Robinhood’s Vlad Tenev, Chainlink’s Sergey Nazarov, Ripple’s Brad Garlinghouse, and Kraken’s Arjun Sethi.

A Broader Strategic Agenda

The latest engagement between Sheikh Tahnoon and Mr. Sacks builds on recent diplomatic efforts to enhance economic and technological cooperation. Earlier in March, Sheikh Tahnoon visited Washington, where discussions with US officials centered on energy investments, economic partnerships, AI advancements, and data center infrastructure.

These talks are part of a broader vision by the UAE to position itself as a global hub for emerging technologies, while simultaneously reinforcing its ties with key international partners like the United States.