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United Arab Emirates

US Revised Tariffs (%)

10

Ease of doing business

theboardiQ Tariffs Dashboard:

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Understand the complexities of international tariffs and ease of doing business across nations to cultivate balanced trade relationships, streamline operations, and deliver cost savings to end consumers.

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Revised Tariff %
Original Tariff %
Country Tariff Rate %
Share of US Imports % (1 implies <1%)
10
10
2.6
1
Exports (in USD Bill.) 2024
Imports (in USD Bill.) 2024
Balance (in USD Bill.) 2024
26.97
7.47
19.49

Implications

As of January 26, 2026, the trade relationship between the U.S. and the UAE is navigating a complex dual-track: new "baseline" tariffs on imports into the U.S. alongside deepening strategic investments in high-tech sectors like AI and semiconductors.


Latest US Tariffs Update (2025–2026)

In early 2025, the U.S. implemented a 10% baseline reciprocal tariff on most goods imported from all countries, including the UAE. This was expanded in January 2026 with more targeted measures:

  • Reciprocal Tariffs: UAE goods face a 10% duty. Unlike some neighboring countries (e.g., Iraq or Jordan), the UAE is not currently on the "High Deficit" list (Annex I), which carries duties up to 50%.

  • Iran-Related "Secondary" Tariffs: As of January 19, 2026, the U.S. announced 25% tariffs on countries maintaining significant trade with Iran. Because Iran is the UAE’s second-largest trading partner, this poses a major compliance and cost risk for UAE-based re-exporters.

  • Exemptions: Essential goods like certain pharmaceuticals and semiconductors remain largely exempt to protect U.S. supply chains. Additionally, the Pax Silica agreement (joined by the UAE in Jan 2026) provides a framework for "trusted" trade in advanced technology.


Major Companies Impacted


The impact is felt most by companies involved in heavy industry, re-export logistics, and the U.S.-led AI "arms race."

Company

Sector

Nature of Impact

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA)

Metals/Industrial

Faced with the 10% baseline tariff on all U.S. exports; margins are pressured but offset by high global demand.

DP World

Logistics/Ports

Impacted by "Secondary Tariffs" related to Iran trade; must navigate strict U.S. compliance to avoid port-level penalties.

G42

Artificial Intelligence

Positive Impact: Strategic partner for U.S. (Microsoft/Nvidia); benefits from the Pax Silica framework and special semiconductor access.

ADNOC

Energy/Chemicals

Generally shielded on crude oil, but refined petrochemical exports to the U.S. are subject to the 10% baseline.

Strata Manufacturing

Aerospace

Supplier to Boeing; sits in a "critical" category that may seek specific duty waivers for U.S. national interests.

GDP Impact

Despite the friction of tariffs, the UAE economy remains robust due to its diversification and role as a global investment hub.


  • Projected 2026 GDP Growth: Estimated at ~5.0%, a slight cooling from 5.4% in 2025 but still significantly outpacing the global average.

  • Direct Tariff Drag: Analysts estimate the baseline 10% tariff and Iran-related measures could shave 0.3% to 0.5% off potential growth if trade volumes with the U.S. contract.

  • Offsetting Factors: The UAE’s commitment to invest $1.4 trillion in the U.S. over the next decade and the growth of its "non-oil" sector (growing at ~5.5%) are currently counterbalancing the negative impact of trade duties.


SWOT Analysis: UAE Trade & U.S. Policy (2026)

Strengths

Weaknesses

* Massive sovereign wealth (ADIA/Mubadala) for leverage.


 * Critical role in global energy and AI supply chains.


 * "Trusted Partner" status under Pax Silica.

* High reliance on trade with Iran (vulnerable to secondary tariffs).


 * Economic growth still sensitive to global shipping disruptions.

Opportunities

Threats

* Pivot to "South-South" trade (India, Philippines, Nigeria) via CEPAs.


 * Attracting firms fleeing higher-tariff regions (e.g., China/EU) to Dubai’s free zones.

* U.S. Supreme Court rulings on the President's tariff authority could create sudden market volatility.


 * Escalation of U.S.-China trade war forcing a "choice" of tech ecosystems.


US Revised Tariffs

Country Tariffs

Balance of Trade

Commercial Guide

Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in countries, prepared by U.S. Embassies worldwide, Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals

Tariff Rate for US

World Bank staff estimates using the World Integrated Trade Solution system, based on tariff data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's Trade Analysis and Information System ( TRAINS ) database and global imports data from the United Nations Statistics Division's Comtrade database.

US Imports Guide 

United States Imports from Countries during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. United States Imports from Countries- data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on April of 2025.

Investing in USA

theboardiQ Economic Relevance Score, ranks States of USA based on 11 parameters

Sources : ForbesUSDA Economic Research | TCGen Total Innovation Rank Index | Best States for Manufacturing | World Population Review | Tax Foundation | US News | BEA Data | Wikipedia International Trade Administration

theboardiQ's Economic Relevance Score provides a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of a nation's economic vitality and global significance. This score is meticulously calculated using 11 key parameters, each reflecting a critical facet of economic performance. It analyzes the representation of Fortune 500 companies within a nation, a strong indicator of its business environment and market size. The balance of trade surplus or deficit reveals the nation's international competitiveness and export strength. It incorporates Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a fundamental measure of overall economic output, and examine the health of key sectors like agriculture and manufacturing. The score also accounts for innovation, gauging a nation's ability to drive future growth through technological advancements. Crucial labor market indicators such as employment rates are considered, alongside fiscal policies reflected in tax rates. To capture the lived experience of citizens, it assesses cost of living and disposable income, providing insight into purchasing power and economic well-being. Finally, education levels are integrated, recognizing their pivotal role in fostering a skilled workforce and driving long-term economic development. By synthesizing these 11 parameters, theboardiQ's Economic Relevance Score delivers a nuanced and holistic view of a nation's economic standing, enabling informed strategic decisions. The Top 5 States in the assessment are Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida and Washington. Texas does consistently well across most of the 11 variables especially in the areas of GDP, F500 representation in the State, Balance of Trade where it ranks 2nd nationally. North Carolina scores as the highest-ranking state nationally in manufacturing and performs consistently across the other variables. Virginia does well in disposable income where it ranks 3rd nationally. It also scores high in the variables of manufacturing and employment Florida holds the 4th ranking nationally for GDP and Tax Washington State scores the top spot for disposable income nationally, 2nd for education and 3rd for innovation. Colorado, with an overall rank of 7 scores the top spot for Education (schools and higher education). Nebraska, that ranked 10th overall, did well in Agriculture where it is ranked 3rd nationally as well as Trade Balance where it ranked 5th. Illinois, though ranked 20th overall did well nationally in F500 representation, GDP, Agriculture, and Disposable Income. Pennsylvania comes in at 21 overall doing well nationally in GDP (6th); Manufacturing (8th) and F500 representation (8th) New York scores 23rd overall with a 2 ranking in Disposable Income nationally, as well as 3rd in both F500 representation and GDP. California comes in at 29th overall and has the top spot ranking in a whopping 4 variables nationally – GDP, Innovation, Agriculture and F500 representation. However, performance in the areas of Trade Balance, Cost of Living, Tax, Manufacturing and Employment resulted in the overall ranking dipping. Wyoming at 30th overall scores the top spot nationally in the area of Tax Massachusetts at 31 overall does well in innovation where it is ranked 2nd nationally Arkansas at 36 and Alabama at 39, do well in overall Cost of Living where they are ranked 2nd and 3rd nationally, respectively. Louisiana ranked 44th overall is ranked 1st in Trade Balance nationally.

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