Though subject to final approval, the deal involves China supplying rare earths and magnets to U.S. companies while the United States would abandon threats to revoke visas for Chinese students
Author Archives: Tala Michel Issa
Tala Michel Issa is the Chief Reporter at Arabian Business and Producer/Presenter of the AB Majlis podcast. Her interviews feature global figures including former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn, Mindvalley's Vishen Lakhiani, former US government advisors, and the UAE's most prominent business personalities.
With a focus on business and geopolitics, she tracks how regional developments shape global markets, with particular expertise in wealth migration trends, trade, and economics. Before joining Arabian Business, she worked for Al Arabiya English in Dubai where she delivered authoritative coverage across political affairs, public health challenges, business developments, and breaking news. Her work spans multiple publications, where she has written extensively on topics from British politics to the evolving technology and energy sectors.
Tala holds Master's and Bachelor's degrees in media and journalism from Newcastle University, UK.
For story tips, media inquiries, or more information on the AB Majlis podcast, you can reach out to her on:
Twitter: @talamichelissa
Instagram: @talamichelissa
LinkedIn: Tala Michel Issa
All Articles
AI investment
Analysis: UAE’s massive AI investment could redefine its economic future
The ambitious push into advanced technologies was highlighted during Trump’s recent visit to the UAE
geopolitical tensions
UAE economy bucks global trend as Europe, U.S. recession risks grow
UAE economy surges ahead while Western markets slide toward recession as Gulf nation draws investors seeking stability
Diabetes
‘Not a magic solution’: UAE doctors warn of surging off-label use of Ozempic, Mounjaro for weight loss
Medical experts reveal alarming risks as patients seek ‘quick fix’ weight loss injections without meeting clinical criteria, with some regaining all lost weight after stopping treatment
Abu Dhabi
Inside Insilico’s bid to create the UAE’s first homegrown cancer drug
In Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, four scientists with massive computing power are trying to do in months what typically takes pharmaceutical giants years
Abu Dhabi
UAE finfluencer licensing brings ‘long overdue accountability’ to social media investment advice, experts say
The UAE’s ‘finfluencer’ licensing system combats social media investment scams, with groundbreaking rules requiring anyone with just 1,000 followers who gives financial advice to register with regulators
AI adoption
While the West debates AI regulation, the UAE is deploying it at scale
Venice dominated printing, Britain led industrialisation, America mastered computing – now the UAE is positioning to own the AI era
Dubai
Dubai startup positions yerba maté as matcha rival in wellness beverage boom
A Dubai-based Lebanese expat’s bet on making the ancient South American brew Dubai’s next wellness obsession
F&B business
Tashas Group plans major regional expansion with 8 new locations
Founder and CEO Natasha Sideris talks Saudi opening in September and new locations across the UAE
digital economy
EXCLUSIVE: Dubai attracts $272 million in European digital investment over 4 years
The investment flow demonstrates “strong and sustained momentum alongside growing global confidence in Dubai’s advanced digital ecosystem,” says DUbai Chambers chief Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah
GITEX
GITEX expansion to Europe, Asia boosts Dubai’s geoeconomic standing, says event chief
Trixie LohMirmand says technology exhibition’s global reach enhances UAE’s geo-economic positioning and connects disparate tech ecosystems worldwide on the sidelines of GITEX EUROPE
AI governance
‘This journey didn’t start today’: Dubai govt official says AI strategy built on decade of digital transformation
Dubai Data & Statistics Establishment CEO, Younus Al Nasser, outlines governance framework with built-in renewal cycles in panel discussion at GITEX EUROPE
AI technology
Digital Dubai chief: ‘Nationwide AI initiatives key to innovation’ at GITEX Europe
Hamad Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, outlines four-pillar approach to AI leadership and the importance government-led strategies at GITEX EUROPE in Berlin
GITEX
EXCLUSIVE: UAE to deliver Lunar Gateway Airlock, astronaut to join Artemis Mission by 2030
Hazza Al Mansouri tells Arabian Business the UAE will provide a critical airlock module to NASA’s Lunar Gateway and send an Emirati astronaut to commission it – in a historic first for the region
GITEX
UAE astronauts reveal ambitious space plans at GITEX EUROPE
Dubai’s flagship technology exhibition makes its European debut in Berlin, showcasing the UAE’s growing influence in global tech and space sectors
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Trump in Saudi: The Art of the ‘Gulf’ Deal
After decades of complicated Middle East diplomacy that promised much and delivered little, perhaps there’s something refreshingly honest about a president who cuts straight to the deal
Bulldozer Group
Bulldozer Group pours $55mn into Europe, Middle East expansion as global wealthy flee West
Hospitality giant shifts focus beyond restaurants with wellness ventures to capture migrating HNWIs
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Trump in Saudi: U.S. President kicks off Gulf tour with lavish reception as he seeks trillion-dollar deals
The visit, which will also include stops in Qatar and the UAE, focuses heavily on securing massive investment commitments for the U.S.
bilateral economic relations
UAE investments in Uzbekistan surge to $1.3bn in 2024, Minister Kudratov says
With over $700 million in renewable energy deals and a new $200 million investment fund, the UAE is fast becoming a driving force behind Uzbekistan’s green and economic transformation
Bilateral trade
Trump’s Gulf visit looms over new EU-UAE trade talks as president teases ‘very big’ announcement
The timing of Trump’s announcement creates additional complexity for EU-UAE free trade negotiations
Bilateral trade
Analysis: EU-UAE trade talks signal strategic shift amid global economic pressures
In a major departure from the long-stalled EU-GCC framework, the UAE is pursuing a solo trade pact with the European Union — its first direct effort since bloc-wide talks began in the late 1980s
Bunker
Doomsday prepping makes economic sense
Our cities run on invisible threads — power, water, data — and it takes just one break to send the whole system crashing down. Europe sees it. Do we?
Dubai property brokers
Million dollar broker: How reality TV star Ben Bandari built his AED22bn Dubai real estate portfolio
Million Dollar Listing UAE star Ben Bandari talks making it in Dubai, the cutthroat real estate industry, and navigating boom-and-bust through pure hustle
Air travellers
Dubai leads Middle East private jet demand, says X-1 Jets CEO
Gulf travelers can fly private between Mykonos and Ibiza this summer for just over AED20,000 an hour, X-1 Jets CEO says as demand from Dubai leads regional growth
RAK Properties
RAK Properties in ‘advanced discussions’ with ultra-luxury brands for new eco-resort partnerships, CEO says
Developer set to launch 12 new residential projects and deliver a record 800+ units in Ras Al Khaimah this year as part of its ambitious AED5 billion Mina masterplan
Building materials
Dubai developers capitalise on local supply chains as Trump tariffs drive up construction costs
Price increases are directly impacting project plans, with many developers making significant adjustments to maintain viability
Arabian Travel Market
EXCLUSIVE: Cruise Saudi reveals plans for second Red Sea private island by 2027
New island will feature direct ship docking capabilities, “more permanent facilities” and comprehensive development to enhance cruise options for northern Red Sea routes by 2027
Arabian Travel Market
EXCLUSIVE: AROYA Cruises hosts over 92,000 passengers in first 4 months of operations
The cruise line has attracted a diverse passenger mix, with significant numbers from GCC countries as well as unexpected interest from Russian and Uzbekistani tourists
Arabian Travel Market
EXCLUSIVE: Blacklane to launch on-demand service in Saudi next month
The premium chauffeur service will also double the size of its fleet in the kingdom, with plans to add EVs into the mix, says Blacklane’s Saudi GM on the sidelines of ATM 2025 in Dubai
Chocolate
EXCLUSIVE: Creator of viral ‘Dubai Chocolate’ recipe says he was written out of global success story
Filipino chef Nouel Catis who invented Dubai’s viral chocolate warns culinary entrepreneurs: “Do the legality from the start” after being sidelined from global success
Donald Trump
Dubai free zones to gain from Trump tariff policies as businesses eye neutral UAE
The UAE’s position as a global trade hub with its business-friendly environment could attract more manufacturers and logistics firms looking to mitigate exposure to U.S. tariffs
Amazon.ae
Pistachio spread sales spike across UAE amid sustained ‘Dubai Chocolate’ craze
UAE retailers noon Minutes and Amazon.ae report spikes in demand for pistachio products, with limited-edition launches repeatedly selling out within hours as the “Dubai Chocolate” trend maintains momentum
aquaculture
Dubai fine dining boom drives record demand for local UAE oyster producer Dibba Bay
Meet the Fujairah-based oyster farm feeding Dubai’s insatiable appetite for premium seafood amid the UAE’s wealth-fuelled fine dining boom
Donald Trump
Analysis: Will Gulf economies feel the heat from Trump’s tariffs?
Regional analysts predict limited direct effects but warn of broader economic fallout if global slowdown hits oil demand
global economy
Global trade to shrink by 0.2% as Trump tariffs trigger ‘dampening effect,’ WTO warns
Despite world economic growth forecast being slashed to 2.2%, WTO expects least-developed countries to potentially benefit from trade disruption
Bilateral trade
Analysis: UAE trade model offers lessons as Trump tariffs disrupt global commerce
Middle East’s exemption from Trump tariffs demonstrates how strategic economic relationships create diplomatic leverage as global trade faces disruption
Donald Trump
UAE exchanges, fintechs brace for Trump tariffs impact on remittances as global trade tensions mount
Money transfer firms in Dubai are bracing for currency swings as Trump’s tariffs shake global trade, impacting remittances to India, Pakistan, and the Philippines
foreign ownership
Saudi property market booms with $29bn transactions as premium visas drive record foreign investment
Saudi Arabia recorded 93,000 real estate transactions in Q1 2025
Abu Dhabi
EXCLUSIVE: First flying cars to hit UAE skies in 2027 at $799,000 per vehicle
For residents of Dubai, the flying car could dramatically reduce travel times during peak hours
automotive industry
NIO MENA CEO eyes battery swaps to win over Gulf’s luxury EV market
How Mohammed Maktari is rewiring the Middle East’s EV future
Donald Trump
Gulf nations largely sheltered from Trump’s tariff storm, experts say
This favourable trade balance for the US means Gulf nations avoided being classified among what the White House described as the “worst offenders” that received higher reciprocal tariffs
Donald Trump
WTO, IMF warn of global economic damage from Trump’s tariffs
The IMF plans to share a detailed assessment of the tariffs’ impact later this month
Donald Trump
World leaders condemn Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs as diplomatic row deepens
Governments worldwide pledged retaliatory measures against President Trump’s new tariffs, setting the stage for what could become the largest global trade conflict since the aftermath of WWII
Donald Trump
EXPLAINER: How Trump’s ‘reciprocal’ tariffs work and what they mean for global trade
Trump argues that decades of “unfair” trade practices have hollowed out American manufacturing, undermined critical supply chains, and rendered U.S. defence industries dependent on foreign adversaries
Donald Trump
Trump imposes sweeping tariffs in major escalation of global trade war
‘It’s our declaration of economic independence,’ says Trump
Artificial intelligence
‘We welcome competition’: Yango eyes Middle East expansion with super-app strategy to challenge Uber, Careem
The company’s expansion comes amid intensifying competition in the region’s ride-hailing sector
Auction
Dubai expats turn to car auctions for second income with substantial returns up to 50% as UAE market booms
Expats turn side hustles into serious money as daily car auctions boom across the UAE
Automobili Lamborghini
EXCLUSIVE: Lamborghini sees Middle East growth moderate to 1% amid luxury market ‘normalisation’
Lamborghini’s CEO disclosed that 2024 witnessed the first decline in the global high-end luxury market in years, with an estimated 8% slowdown
ceasefire
Explainer: What Putin and Trump agreed on Ukraine’s partial ceasefire – All you need to know
Energy infrastructure protected while fighting continues; Putin demands end to Western aid as Zelenskyy seeks seat at negotiating table
bilateral cooperation
Inside the $1 trillion UAE-US economic relationship
Investments in AI, energy infrastructure and data centres reshape bilateral ties as Sheikh Tahnoun meets Trump during high-level Washington visit
bilateral cooperation
Trump, Sheikh Tahnoon advance UAE-US $1 trillion economic ties in talks on AI, energy investments
US President and UAE National Security Adviser discuss strengthening bilateral ties with focus on technological advancement and economic cooperation
ceasefire
Russia-Ukraine war: Putin agrees to energy infrastructure ceasefire after Trump call
Russian President accepts partial truce halting attacks on energy facilities for 30 days, but refuses to back wider ceasefire proposal
BYD
Elon Musk’s political antics are pushing the Gulf’s EV boom into China’s hands
Trump’s White House photo-op hands final advantage to Chinese brands already dominating the UAE market
Dubai
EXCLUSIVE: Dubai-based Yango Group launches $20mn fund to back regional tech startups
Tech firm targets 20x returns on early-stage investments in region’s fintech and SaaS startups