UAE Economy Minister: Opportunities for Cooperation with Israel in Vital Sectors

UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri. WAM
UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri. WAM
TT
20

UAE Economy Minister: Opportunities for Cooperation with Israel in Vital Sectors

UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri. WAM
UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri. WAM

UAE’s Minister of Economy, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, has said that the peace accord between his country and Israel would open up new horizons for economic cooperation to serve their mutual interests and enhance the foundations for sustainable development in the region.

The Minister said Tuesday that the deal stimulates trade and investment cooperation between the UAE and Israel, and the region.

He further highlighted the new business opportunities that would be made available under the deal.

"We have promising opportunities for cooperation in vital sectors that serve the two countries' future economic development agendas. These include medicines, energy, life sciences, food security, financial services, tourism and travel, in addition to the fields of space, defense, security, research and development,” said Al Marri.

He was speaking in a webinar hosted by the American-Emirati Business Council and the US-Israel Business Initiative of the American Chamber of Commerce, with the support of the Trade and Commercial Office of the UAE Embassy in Washington.

The webinar was attended by more than 500 business council and chamber members, most prominently the US-UAE Business Council, the US-Israel Business Initiative, and directors of several multinational companies.

During the webinar, Al Marri said that the UAE and Israel will work together to explore areas of cooperation and jointly develop vital partnership projects between business communities in both countries.

"The outcomes of signing this historic accord will pave the way for new business and investment opportunities, generating new cash flows and robust business activities that will provide immediate benefits to the UAE and Israel. The private sectors in both countries, as well as the regional economies, will undoubtedly benefit from this accord," Emirates News Agency (WAM) quoted him as saying.

He added: "American businesses play a pivotal role in establishing the economic and commercial ties between UAE and Israel, and the American investors and companies can be major players in this regard and serve as vital links by functioning out of their headquarters and offices located in the UAE and Israel."

Furthermore, he elaborated on the main plans and objectives adopted by the UAE government for the upcoming phase, highlighting the government’s general plan and a package of 33 initiatives to support the national economy and promote sustainability, WAM reported.

"Our efforts and initiatives in this regard are part of our vision to overcome the economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, promote growth, support business activities across all key sectors, enhance national economy’s resilience and competitiveness, and develop a long-term economic development model," the minister concluded.



China Denies It Is Currently in Talks with Washington over Tariffs

A general view shows container ships at a terminal with Hong Kong's financial center, including IFC 2, in the background in Hong Kong, China, April 23, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu 
A general view shows container ships at a terminal with Hong Kong's financial center, including IFC 2, in the background in Hong Kong, China, April 23, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu 
TT
20

China Denies It Is Currently in Talks with Washington over Tariffs

A general view shows container ships at a terminal with Hong Kong's financial center, including IFC 2, in the background in Hong Kong, China, April 23, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu 
A general view shows container ships at a terminal with Hong Kong's financial center, including IFC 2, in the background in Hong Kong, China, April 23, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu 

Beijing on Thursday denied it has held trade talks with Washington despite repeated comments from the US government suggesting there had been engagement.

“There is currently no economic and trade negotiations between China and the United States,” the Chinese commerce ministry’s spokesperson He Yadong said.

Yadong added, “Any claims about the progress of China-US trade negotiations are groundless as trying to catch the wind and have no factual basis.”

US President Donald Trump had suggested on Tuesday that the final tariff rate on China's exports would come down “substantially” from the current 145%.

Trump told reporters that Washington is going to be “very nice” to Beijing. “145% is very high and it won't be that high,” Trump said in a question-and-answer session with reporters in the Oval Office.

Earlier in the day, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told a private investor conference put on by JPMorgan Chase that he believed the current situation between China and the US would not last. He told the gathered investors to expect a “de-escalation.”

On Wednesday, Trump said that any reduction in tariffs placed on China will depend on the actions of its leaders.

“It depends on China how soon the tariffs can come down,” he said speaking in the Oval Office.

Trump then confirmed that he was in direct contact with China and President Xi “every day” and that he hopes the two sides would reach a deal.

Meanwhile, Trump’s top economic adviser said he is “optimistic” that a trade deal can be cut with China.

“I’m optimistic that we will have a deal with China, and I’m optimistic that we will be able to take the temperature down a bit and provide both economies and the world breathing space,” Stephen Miran, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, said at Semafor’s World Economy Summit.

On Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that tariff and trade wars undermine the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, hurt the multilateral trading system and impact the world economic order.

Also, Beijing clarified it has not held trade talks with Washington despite repeated comments from the US government suggesting there had been engagement.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, “China and the United States have not conducted consultations or negotiations on tariffs, let alone reached an agreement,” calling reports of such information “false news.”

Meanwhile, in Washington DC, China's central bank Governor Pan Gongsheng said China will firmly support free trade rules and the multilateral trading system, in remarks made at a G20 meeting on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings.