WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The relationship between the UAE and the U.S. is going through “a stress test”, Emirati envoy to Washington Yousef al-Otaiba, said Friday.
The UAE has tried to remain neutral between Western allies and Russia as Washington pushes for a global stand against the Russian operation in Ukraine. Abu Dhabi has also been pushing Washington to reinstate a ‘terrorism’ designation on Yemen’s Ansarullah popular group after it launched retaliatory attacks on the Persian Gulf Arab state.
“It is like any relationship. It has strong days where the relationship is very healthy and days where the relationship is under question. Today, we’re going through a stress test but I am confident that we will get out of it and get to a better place,” al-Otaiba said in an onstage interview at a military event.
He did not elaborate.
The United States is a key security ally for Persian Gulf states but Emirati officials have voiced uncertainty about the U.S. commitment to the region and have been building ties with countries like China and Russia and moved to boost UAE military capabilities.
The UAE, frustrated by the slow pace of a deal to acquire U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets and conditions related to the sale, said in December it would suspend discussions on it, part of a $23 billion deal that includes drones and other advanced munitions.
Sticking points have been concerns over Abu Dhabi’s relationship with China, including the use of Huawei’s 5G technology in the country, how the stealth jets can be deployed and how much of the F-35 technology the Emiratis will be able to use.
The UAE already has American-made F-16 fighter jets.