The United States signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to develop a civilian nuclear program in the kingdom, establishing a legal framework for what the Department of Energy characterized as a decades-long, multibillion-dollar partnership between the two nations.
The accord will provide American companies with access to Saudi Arabia’s nuclear energy sector, boosting exports of U.S. nuclear technology, according to the department. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman also signed a bilateral agreement on nuclear safeguards as part of the deal.
Wright said the agreement will “uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation, while relying on the world’s best nuclear technology and scientists” in the United States.
Congressional Review Required
The deal must be submitted to Congress for review, as required under the Atomic Energy Act for U.S. cooperation with foreign countries on civilian nuclear power. The agreement’s timing has drawn scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers concerned about its implications for the Middle East, particularly as Washington bombs Iran in an effort to force Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut warned on social media that “this agreement will set off a nuclear race in the region, further disincentivizing Iran from limiting its own program.”
Opening Doors for U.S. Industry
Industry leaders welcomed the agreement as a significant opportunity for American nuclear companies. Westinghouse CEO Dan Sumner described the deal as a “landmark step” that will strengthen energy security and expand opportunities for U.S. industry, according to a statement to CNBC.
Westinghouse, owned by Canadian uranium miner Cameco and infrastructure investor Brookfield, develops the AP1000 large reactor, a technology viewed as critical to nuclear energy expansion. The agreement would allow Westinghouse, along with Bechtel, BWXT, Centrus and other companies, to sell sensitive nuclear equipment to Saudi Arabia, according to Jonathan Hinze, president of nuclear fuel market information firm UxC.
“Without this kind of a nuclear trade agreement, U.S. nuclear companies would remain shut out of the market,” Hinze said. “The Saudis would likely go with nuclear technology and supplies from other countries, like France, Russia, or China.”
Diversifying Saudi Energy
Saudi Arabia currently relies almost entirely on fossil fuels for domestic energy production. According to the International Energy Agency, nearly 60% of the kingdom’s electricity comes from natural gas and around 40% from oil. The nuclear agreement represents a significant step toward diversifying the country’s energy mix.
Source: www.cnbc.com — https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/22/trump-saudi-arabia-nuclear-power.html
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