President Donald Trump’s administration has signed a landmark civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, potentially clearing the way for American companies to play a leading role in building the kingdom’s nuclear energy industry.
The 30-year pact was signed Wednesday by Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. Known as a “123 agreement” under the Atomic Energy Act, it establishes the legal framework required for the transfer of U.S. nuclear technology and materials to another country.
Administration officials say the partnership could generate billions of dollars for America’s nuclear industry while strengthening Washington’s strategic relationship with Riyadh. It would also help U.S. companies compete against Chinese and Russian firms seeking a foothold in Saudi Arabia’s growing energy sector.
Trump addresses enrichment concerns
Unlike a 2009 agreement with the United Arab Emirates, the Saudi pact does not include a permanent ban on enriching uranium inside the kingdom.
Instead, it allows the two countries to study whether Saudi enrichment could eventually proceed under a U.S.-monitored system designed to prevent nuclear material from being diverted for military purposes. Any future program would require additional approvals and oversight.
Trump sought to ease concerns about that possibility in a Truth Social post, declaring that “there will be no enrichment of material.” He also described Saudi participation in the Abraham Accords as a condition of the broader partnership.
Saudi officials maintain that the kingdom’s nuclear program would be used only for peaceful purposes, allowing the country to diversify its energy production and preserve more of its oil for export.
Deal shifts U.S. strategy
The agreement represents a break from the approach pursued by the Biden administration, which had attempted to include nuclear cooperation in a larger diplomatic package involving Saudi recognition of Israel.
Trump officials allowed negotiations over the nuclear pact to advance separately, arguing that closer cooperation would keep the United States at the center of Saudi Arabia’s energy development.
Nonproliferation advocates and some lawmakers remain concerned that domestic uranium enrichment could eventually give the kingdom technology capable of producing weapons-grade material. Critics have also questioned the absence of a requirement that Saudi Arabia adopt the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Additional Protocol, which grants inspectors broader access.
Congress gets the final review
The agreement must now undergo congressional review under the Atomic Energy Act.
Unless lawmakers vote to block it during the statutory review period, the pact will take effect and allow American companies such as Westinghouse Electric to compete for lucrative Saudi reactor and infrastructure contracts.
