Senator Elizabeth Warren has called on Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to clarify the department’s recent decision to ease export controls for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including allowing license-free shipments of advanced American technology such as AI chips. The Massachusetts Democrat raised concerns about whether this policy shift was influenced by a reported $500 million investment from the UAE in World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency venture co-founded by US President Donald Trump and his sons.
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AAPLConcerns over export controls and tech transfer
Last month, the US Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) upgraded the UAE to Country Group A:5. Historically, this category has been reserved for trusted partners such as the United Kingdom and Australia and permits license-free exports of certain sensitive US technologies. Warren pointed out that the UAE now stands as the only A:5 member not participating in any of the major multilateral export control agreements, including the Nuclear Suppliers Group, Missile Technology Control Regime, Australia Group, or Wassenaar Arrangement, and has never sought membership in any of these organizations.
Warren noted that the UAE’s inclusion in A:5 “puts it on par with longstanding US allies, even though it is not a member of the key international export control regimes and has never applied to join.”
Investment links and board appointments
Multiple UAE entities reported to be connected with Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the country’s top national security advisor, invested in World Liberty Financial and secured board positions in 2025. Following this, Sheikh Tahnoon, who also chairs G42, an Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence company, sought approval from US officials to import advanced AI chips. G42 has now obtained license-free access to sensitive American technology.
Mini dictionary: G42 is a technology company based in Abu Dhabi, focused on artificial intelligence solutions across healthcare, finance, and government sectors.
National security and internal dissent
Senator Warren cited reports that staff members at Commerce with career expertise had recommended against relaxing these export restrictions on the UAE but were later overruled. She referenced intelligence suggesting China intended to exploit its relationship with G42 to acquire American technology and AI algorithms.
Warren also referred to the UAE’s history as a key hub for transshipping controlled technology to countries like China and Iran. She stated that some experts view the rollback as unjustifiable on both security and economic grounds.
Warren emphasized the need for clarity: “It is critical to understand what risk analysis the Commerce Department conducted before making this change, and whether agencies such as Defense and State supported or objected to this decision.”
| Country | A:5 Status | Export Control Regime Membership |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | Member of all major regimes |
| Australia | Yes | Member of all major regimes |
| UAE | Yes | Not a member; has not applied |
Request for investigation and next steps
Warren’s letter includes seven questions to Secretary Lutnick, requesting details on the risk assessments the Commerce Department performed. She seeks to know if the Departments of Energy, Defense, and State were consulted, if any agency objected, and whether BIS plans to further expand A:5 to other non-member countries.
The senator’s inquiry follows earlier reporting about strategic investments by the UAE and the country’s growing access to advanced US technology amid concerns over technology diversion to third countries.
As of now, Commerce officials and representatives from G42 have not issued public statements on Warren’s request or the department’s internal decision-making process.
