Congress Assails UAE AI Chip Access After $500 Million Trump Crypto Stake

2 articles · Updated · The Independent · Jul 15

House Democrats used a Tuesday hearing to attack the Trump administration’s decision to elevate the UAE into a privileged export tier, letting it buy U.S. AI chips and other sensitive technology without the old licensing hurdles.
The backlash centers on a 49% UAE stake in Trump family crypto venture World Liberty Financial worth $500 million, plus a separate $1.4 trillion U.S. investment pledge that critics say fuels pay-to-play concerns.
G42 — controlled by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan — stands to gain most, with easier access to Nvidia chips for advanced AI models, while Microsoft and OpenAI can build UAE data centers more freely.
Commerce official Jeffrey Kessler denied discussing chip exports with Trump’s family and called the arrangement a major achievement, while the White House and UAE ambassador said it reflects long-standing bilateral cooperation.
The shift follows the UAE’s support for Trump during the Iran war and could unlock billions for the emirate’s diversification drive, moving it from a tier once grouped with countries such as China and Yemen.