The U.S. Plans to Announce a Nuclear Deal with Saudi Arabia — Media Reports
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump plans to officially sign and announce an agreement with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday that is intended to facilitate the creation of a civilian nuclear program in the kingdom. France 24 reported this, citing The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
According to The Wall Street Journal, one of the terms of the 30-year agreement potentially involves U.S. companies building a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia. The Trump administration has stated that the agreement will generate billions in revenue for the U.S. nuclear industry.
The document is expected to be submitted to the U.S. Congress in the coming days. However, legislative approval is not required for the agreement to take effect.
U.S. lawmakers from both parties and Israeli officials have previously opposed Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear project. They fear that the program could be used in the future to develop nuclear weapons. Saudi Arabia has long insisted on its right to develop a civilian nuclear program.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Manila, declined to confirm reports of the agreement and referred questions to the White House. At the same time, he stated that the United States would not enter into agreements that pose a risk of nuclear proliferation.
In 2009, the U.S. signed a nuclear agreement with the United Arab Emirates; however, that country does not enrich uranium on its own.
