Source: https://t.co/1GPuLSkQ0W
— Luke Gromen (@LukeGromen) April 19, 2026
WASHINGTON—The United Arab Emirates has opened talks with the U.S. about obtaining a financial backstop in case the Iran war plunges the oil-rich Persian Gulf state into a deeper crisis, U.S. officials said.
U.A.E. Central Bank Gov. Khaled Mohamed Balama raised the idea of a currency-swap line with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Treasury and Federal Reserve officials in meetings in Washington last week, the officials said. The Emiratis emphasized that they had so far avoided the worst economic effects of the conflict but might still need a financial lifeline, the officials said.
https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-a-e-asks-u-s-for-a-wartime-financial-lifeline-3f9ea3a0
The UAE and China have signed a preliminary agreement to boost investment and mobilise more capital between the nations, adding to a string of recent deals.
The pact signed on Wednesday comes after the UAE and China signed 24 agreements spanning economic, trade and investment relations on Monday, during Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed’s visit to the world’s second-biggest economy.
Under the latest agreement, officials of government agencies, public-private partnership groups and private sector companies, including small and medium-sized businesses, will co-ordinate to enhance investment opportunities.