US, Saudi Arabia in talks on nuclear tech deal, says US energy sec.
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The Trump administration is in discussions with Saudi Arabia to share nuclear technology and potentially allow uranium enrichment.
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The flags of the United States and Saudi Arabia appear side by side (AFP)
The Trump administration is in discussions with Saudi Arabia about sharing US nuclear technology and potentially allowing uranium enrichment, according to a statement by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Sunday. Addressing reporters in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Sunday, Wright said a broader energy cooperation deal is expected soon, with a nuclear-specific agreement likely to follow within months.
US President Donald Trump is set to visit Saudi Arabia next month, a trip seen as a sign of strengthening ties and growing economic cooperation between the two countries.
“We’ll first sign a general energy partnership covering investments and research,” Wright said, noting that nuclear collaboration would be part of this broader cooperation. A separate agreement focused specifically on nuclear development could take longer but is “likely", he added.
For any nuclear partnership to proceed, Saudi Arabia would need to sign a “123 Agreement", a US legal requirement ensuring nuclear technology isn’t used for weapons development. Wright emphasized that this step is essential before any deal can move forward.
Saudi Arabia has long sought US support for a civilian nuclear program as part of its plan to diversify its economy away from oil. Previous talks have stalled over the kingdom’s hesitation to accept US safeguards against nuclear proliferation.
Diversifying efforts
​According to a Reuters report from November 2024, Saudi Arabia's 2025 budget projects a fiscal deficit of approximately $26.88 billion, about 2.3% of GDP. This deficit is primarily due to continued investments in Vision 2030 megaprojects aimed at diversifying the economy away from oil dependence.
Earlier this year, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman announced plans to commercialize the country’s uranium resources, including enrichment and producing "yellowcake" for nuclear reactors. This move is part of Saudi Arabia's broader effort to diversify its energy mix through nuclear power. Despite the sensitive nature of uranium enrichment, the kingdom remains committed to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and aims to enhance nuclear safety. Saudi Arabia is also in talks with Russia, China, and France to build its first nuclear power plant as part of its Vision 2030 goals.
