The UAE’s status as a „Major Defense Partner“ of the US has solidified their strategic partnership. Despite China’s great ambition in the Middle East, Sino-Emirati ties remain primarily economic, which in sum creates favorable conditions for Abu Dhabi to implement its far-reaching plans.
The global rivalry between China and the United States sets the new game rules in a world harnessed by constant disputes, conflicts, and competition between other emerging powers. West Asia, in other words, the Middle East, has become a priority on China’s list due to its strategic relevance. The authorities in Washington are not excited about China’s growing presence in the region and are therefore enhancing their efforts to maintain the USA’s prevailing position here. Just like in the rest of the wider region, in the Gulf, both regional players and great powers aspire to take the lead in the Middle Eastern order.
In September 2024, the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, paid an official visit to the United States. It was an important meeting, framing the current conditions of their fifty-year relationship and paving the way for further cooperation in various fields such as technology, clean energy, or security. The crucial aspect of their ties is designating the UAE as a “Major Defense Partner of the United States,” second after India. However, just a few days earlier, there was an official visit paid by China’s Premier Li Qiang to the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi. The visit was purely economic in nature; nevertheless, it marked China’s growing presence in the region. Considering the ongoing rivalry between great powers, it is worth giving a glimpse at the details of official meetings and their significance for bilateral relations, notably between the US and the UAE.
The Importance of the UAE President’s Visit to the United States
The UAE-US military cooperation – the main topic of this discussion – has gradually developed over the years. Abu Dhabi was a part of the Global Coalition aiming to defeat Islamist terrorist groups. Moreover, President Biden stated in 2022 that “…the UAE is the only country in the Middle East to have deployed its military forces alongside the U.S. military in every international security coalition involving the United States since Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1990-1991”.
Three agreements serve as a pillar of their bilateral cooperation: the General Security of Military Information Agreement (1987), the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (2006), and the Defense Cooperation Agreement (2019). It is reported, however, that the last treaty is not considered a mutual defense agreement. Apart from that, it is worth mentioning that nearly 5,000 American soldiers are stationed in the Al-Dhafra base near Abu Dhabi.
Following the joint statement published on the White House’s official website (September 23, 2024), the main aim of the meeting was to deepen the dynamic strategic and defense partnership. There are plenty of issues that are of interest to both parties, such as trade, advanced technology, clean energy, critical infrastructure and supply chain, space exploration, security and defense, and cyberspace. Their respective leaders underscored the significance of designating the UAE as a “major defense partner of the United States.” Given this status, the UAE and US authorities will be able to expand their military relationship by enhancing joint training and military-to-military cooperation, also accompanied by India, which enlarges the area within which partners can cooperate.
What is also crucial is the investment in defense systems and research and development, which was also highlighted during the official meeting. Security was discussed not only in the realms of bilateral relations but also in adherence to the region as a whole. The Presidents of their respective states discussed various issues in the Middle East and its neighborhood, notably the war in Gaza and the conflict in Sudan.
The UAE, the US, and … China
On September 12, 2024, His Highness President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Abu Dhabi. According to details of the visit, the UAE and China wish to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership and specifically focus on “cooperation in new energy, electric vehicles, high-end manufacturing, biomedicine, digital economy, and other fields.” In essence, the main points of interest of strategic partners are mainly economic.
It should be noted that the Premier of China also met with the UAE’s Vice President and Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It was another opportunity to mark the importance of Sino-Emirati relations. As Premier Li said during the meeting, China is “willing to share development opportunities with the UAE for better mutual benefit, welcoming more UAE investment in China and encouraging Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the UAE.”
At the end of May 2024, His Highness President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan paid an official visit to China and held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both parties put a strong emphasis on economic development, which fits both their remarkable projects – the Belt and Road Initiative and the UAE’s strategic visions – aiming at enhancing its position both regionally and on the wider international stage.
Despite the purely economic character of both visits, one should not forget that the military aspect has become a significant point of reference in their bilateral relations. It is not an alternative to America’s regional power, but it illustrates the burgeoning opportunities for the UAE that can reassure their security and firm standing in the region.
Outlook
Recognition of the UAE as the “Major Defense Partner” by the USA may have opened a new chapter of the two countries’ bilateral relations. It creates new opportunities for both sides and encourages other states to work collectively to counterbalance threats that might further disrupt the Middle East. This is especially vital given the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip and high tensions between Iran and Israel. The UAE has already proven that it is a reliable partner for its participation in various operations involving the US. What is more, it is so far the only country in the region to have been granted such status. Therefore, strengthening cooperation in the military field with Saudi Arabia, Qatar (which has already been designated as a “major non-NATO ally, along with Bahrain and Kuwait), and other Arab states would be beneficial to all parties as well as for the region’s stability.
China, on its part, refrains from engaging in any sort of military activity and pushes for diplomatic solutions to end the conflict immediately. China’s approach helps the authorities in Beijing maintain its safe position in the region and not disrupt the already enhanced ties with a wide range of strategic partners with whom China pursues its ambitions in the Middle East and beyond.
All things considered, the strategic rivalry between the US and China can be considered conducive to the UAE’s position in the Gulf, notably in accomplishing its far-reaching plans. The US has assured the UAE of its continued role as a key security provider and has no plans to withdraw from the region anytime soon. China, in turn, is eager to deepen its economic cooperation with Abu Dhabi further while proceeding cautiously within the boundaries set by the US.
Last but not least, the new US President’s approach to the region will be a crucial factor determining regional ties and developments. However, we must wait and see what the new administration’s practical, not rhetorical, steps will be.
