The US Department of Energy announced on Wednesday that Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman had signed an agreement to develop the first commercial nuclear reactors in oil-rich Saudi Arabia, which will be submitted to Congress for review next.
Trump has been pursuing a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia since his initial term.
Former President Joe Biden also advocated for a deal, linking it to the accords aimed at normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
However, Saudi Arabia has refrained from signing the accords, seeking a clear path to a Palestinian state prior to recognizing Israel.
On Thursday, Trump unexpectedly introduced this condition to the deal, stating in a social media post that Saudi Arabia must join the accords.
Trump reiterated this in the Oval Office on Friday, saying, “In order to do it, they have to be a member of the Abraham Accords.” He noted that he did not discuss the accords with Wright before the Cabinet member signed the deal. “But it was always understood, and Chris knew, and Saudi Arabia knew,” Trump added.
Saudi Arabia has yet to respond to inquiries about this new condition for the deal.
Trump expressed confidence that a resolution would eventually occur. “At some point they’ll join …and they’ll do their civil, to echo it, civil nuclear,” he stated.
A collaboration between the US and Saudi Arabia is seen as advantageous for Westinghouse, which is co-owned by Canadian companies Cameco and Brookfield Asset Management.
