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UAE Non-Oil Foreign Trade Nears $817 Billion as China Leads Bilateral Trade

The UAE's non-oil foreign trade reached nearly $817 billion (AED 3 trillion) during the first nine months of 2026, marking a 10 percent year-on-year increase. China remained the UAE's largest source of imports and overall bilateral trading partner, generating $49.2 billion in trade in the first half of the year. Exports to the UAE's ten largest partners surged by 31 percent, underpinned by connections to Asian manufacturing hubs.

Published Source: PMV Middle East
Illustration: A modern commercial container terminal at a major port in the UAE under bright daylight, showing towering gantry cranes, neatly stacked
Illustration

The United Arab Emirates recorded nearly $817 billion (AED 3 trillion) in non-oil foreign trade during the first nine months of 2026, according to figures cited by PMV Middle East. This performance reflects a 10 percent increase compared to the same period in the prior year.

Exports to the UAE's ten largest international trading partners experienced a 31 percent surge over the nine-month period. Commercial expansion was notably observed across the technology, industrial equipment, and automotive sectors.

China maintained its status as the UAE's primary source of imports and largest overall bilateral trading partner. Bilateral trade between China and the UAE reached $49.2 billion (AED 180.7 billion) during the first half of 2026.

Senior foreign trade officials cited by the publication noted that the UAE's logistics network, which encompasses more than 140 ports globally, continues to facilitate major commercial corridors connecting to Asian manufacturing hubs.

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