Commerce Grants UAE License-Free AI Chip Access as $500 Million Trump Crypto Tie Draws Fire
Updated
Updated · The Independent · Jul 11
Commerce Grants UAE License-Free AI Chip Access as $500 Million Trump Crypto Tie Draws Fire
3 articles · Updated · The Independent · Jul 11
Summary
Friday’s rule gives the UAE license-free access to sensitive U.S. technology including AI chips, extending the benefit to firms such as G42 under eased export controls.
$500 million spent by a Tahnoon-backed company on a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial before Trump’s inauguration is driving accusations that the UAE won preferential treatment through Trump family crypto ties.
Elizabeth Warren called the move a “corrupt deal” and demanded testimony from Commerce officials, while critics warned G42’s past Huawei links could expose U.S. technology and shift major data-center buildouts to the UAE.
Commerce said the change follows a May 2025 export pact and reflects the UAE’s Major Defense Partner status and support for U.S. security interests, including during the Iran war.
The dispute adds to scrutiny of Trump’s broader UAE-linked crypto windfall—more than $1 billion last year—as Washington weighs whether allied AI expansion outweighs conflict-of-interest and China-transfer risks.