The Trump administration has signed a nuclear cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia, granting U.S. firms access to the kingdom's energy program while facing scrutiny over nonproliferation standards.
Key facts
- •The agreement allows U.S. companies to supply nuclear reactors and fuel to Saudi Arabia.
- •Congress has 90 days to review the deal following its announcement on Wednesday.
- •The deal does not include 'gold standard' provisions that would prohibit uranium enrichment.
- •The U.S. government maintains the agreement is limited to civilian, peaceful nuclear energy.
- •Critics, including Rep. Brad Sherman, have called for the inclusion of stricter safeguards.
The Trump administration has finalized a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, allowing American companies to supply nuclear reactors and fuel for the kingdom's commercial power program. Signed by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the deal aims to strengthen commercial ties and energy security. The agreement is now subject to a 90-day review period by the U.S. Congress.
By the numbers
Scope and Terms of the Agreement
The deal provides American companies with priority access to Saudi Arabia's nuclear energy program, a partnership expected to last decades and generate billions of dollars. While the administration maintains that the agreement is limited to peaceful cooperation and adheres to nonproliferation terms under the Atomic Energy Act, it notably lacks the 'gold standard' provisions included in a 2009 U.S. agreement with the United Arab Emirates. Unlike the UAE deal, this agreement does not explicitly prohibit the kingdom from enriching uranium or reprocessing nuclear fuel.
Nonproliferation and Political Concerns
The absence of strict enrichment prohibitions has drawn criticism from lawmakers and nonproliferation advocates who fear the deal could provide a pathway to weapons development. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously stated that the kingdom would pursue nuclear weapons if Iran were to do so. Some experts and officials in Israel have also expressed concern regarding the potential for regional proliferation. The administration asserts that the deal upholds high safety and security standards, and notes that the U.S. does not support a Saudi nuclear weapons program.
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