Earlier today, President Donald Trump announced a new Civil Nuclear Deal with Saudi Arabia that would allow the Kingdom to develop a civilian nuclear energy program with support from the United States.
This deal will allow the United States to strengthen its own nuclear energy industry, something its foreign power competitors like Russia and China are not doing. As part of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Saudi Arabia is permitted to pursue civilian nuclear energy for peaceful purposes only.
President Trump said the deal is designed to ensure the technology is used for peaceful purposes, not military ones.
“The Civil Nuclear Deal… being made between the United States Department of Energy and Saudi Arabia, which pertains only to non-military use such as the ones that Iran and [United Arab Emirates] UAE (and others) already have, will be approved,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright said this agreement will uphold the “highest standards of nuclear safety” while leveraging the best available nuclear technology.
"These agreements reflect our two nations' shared commitment to strengthening U.S.-Saudi commercial relations, delivering prosperity at home and security to our allies abroad," Wright said.
But Trump said the deal is still subject to Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements to normalize diplomatic relations between Israel and Arab countries.
At a press conference soon after Trump announced the deal, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said it is very much contingent on Saudi Arabia joining the Accords.
“This is a condition that the president has spoken about many times with our Gulf and Arab allies,” Leavitt said. “He wants to see those countries sign the Abraham Accords."
Leavitt called the Abraham Accords one of “the most historic accomplishments” of Trump’s first term, while remaining a high priority for his administration.
“It continues to be a long-term goal of his to expand those accords to ultimately come to a place where the Middle East can be a peaceful and stable region,” she said.
