US-Saudi deals expand defense, nuclear, and AI cooperation
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The US and Saudi Arabia have signed a series of landmark deals spanning defense, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals.
The United States and Saudi Arabia have formalized a series of comprehensive agreements across defense, energy, technology, and supply chains during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s official visit to Washington, the White House announced on Tuesday.
In a significant move to deepen military ties, Saudi Arabia will purchase nearly 300 American tanks, reinforcing its defense capabilities and securing hundreds of manufacturing jobs in the United States.
"The President secured an agreement for Saudi Arabia to purchase nearly 300 American tanks, enabling Saudi Arabia to build up its own defense capabilities and safeguarding hundreds of American jobs," the White House said.
Strategic defense agreement signed
Washington was solidified as Riyadh's primary strategic defense partner in the region with the signing of the US-Saudi Strategic Defense Agreement (SDA), which solidifies Washington as Riyadh’s primary strategic defense partner in the region.
The SDA will streamline defense industry cooperation, open access to Saudi markets for US firms, and introduce burden-sharing mechanisms to reduce US military costs in the region.
Civil nuclear energy deal
The two sides also concluded a Joint Declaration on Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation, laying the legal groundwork for a multi-billion-dollar, long-term partnership in nuclear development.
"The United States and Saudi Arabia signed a Joint Declaration on the Completion of Negotiations on Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation, which builds the legal foundation for a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar nuclear energy partnership with the Kingdom; confirms that the United States and American companies will be the Kingdom’s civil nuclear cooperation partners of choice," the White House said in its statement.
The agreement confirms that the US and its companies will serve as Riyadh’s “civil nuclear cooperation partners of choice,” while also adhering to international nonproliferation standards.
Critical minerals supply chain agreement
In line with growing global concern over supply chain resilience, the US and Saudi Arabia signed a Critical Minerals Framework, aligning national strategies to diversify access to essential minerals.
This deal echoes similar agreements brokered by President Trump with other trading partners and aims to reduce US dependency on foreign-controlled mineral sources, the White House emphasized.
AI memorandum of understanding
On the technology front, Washington and Riyadh signed a landmark memorandum of understanding on artificial intelligence, granting Saudi Arabia access to advanced US AI systems while safeguarding American intellectual property.
"The United States and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark AI Memorandum of Understanding that gives the Kingdom access to world-leading American systems while protecting U.S. technology from foreign influence," the statement said.
