Atlantic Council

Industry News

US Export Control Rule Sets 2027 Expiry for G42 AI Chip Access

A roughly 5,000-word US Commerce Department rule grants license-free access to top-tier AI chips for UAE-based G42 and its cloud unit Core42, but sets an expiration date of April 2027. Under a 17-word clause in the measure, maintaining continued access may require the firms to become US companies or secure renewed approval. G42 stated that it maintains substantial US ties and continuously evaluates opportunities aligned with its long-term objectives.

China–UAE News

UAE and China Deepen Commercial Ties Across Sharjah and Dubai Partnerships

Sharjah leadership met with Chinese diplomats on 12 October 2026 to discuss partnerships in artificial intelligence, healthcare, data centres, and automotive manufacturing. Bilateral trade between Sharjah and China reached approximately AED 6.3 billion in 2025, with 851 Chinese enterprises operating in the emirate as of June 2026. Separately, Dubai recorded non-oil trade of AED 363.5 billion with China in 2025 ahead of the Dubai Business Forum in Shenzhen.

China–UAE News

ForkLog Details Expanding China-UAE Trade Settlements via mBridge and Digital Yuan Rails

A report by ForkLog details how central bank digital currencies and digital rails are transforming cross-border trade settlements between China and the UAE. According to cited Atlantic Council data, the multilateral mBridge platform has processed over 4,000 transactions totaling $55.5 billion, with roughly 95% settled in e-CNY. Furthermore, CNPC and Bank of China established a Macau-UAE settlement corridor, and China's CBETS cross-border system connected participants across the UAE and Qatar.