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Updated: May 11, 2025 06:15
President Donald Trump is set to make a high-profile visit to Saudi Arabia this week, and all eyes are on the possibility of a landmark US-Saudi nuclear deal that could reshape the region’s energy landscape and geopolitical alliances. The Trump administration is signaling strong enthusiasm for helping Saudi Arabia develop a civilian nuclear program, a move that could deliver major business windfalls for American companies while sidelining Chinese and Russian competitors eager to enter the kingdom’s nuclear market.
Key highlights
Trump’s visit marks his first to Saudi Arabia since his return to the White House, and comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity focused on oil, trade, and security in the Gulf.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who visited Riyadh ahead of Trump, said the world can expect “meaningful developments” this year on US-Saudi civil nuclear cooperation, though experts caution against expecting immediate, sweeping announcements.
The US is no longer insisting that Saudi Arabia normalize relations with Israel as a precondition for nuclear talks, a significant policy shift from the Biden era. This concession could speed up negotiations but has raised concerns in Israel and among arms control advocates.
Saudi Arabia wants to enrich its own uranium, a sticking point for Washington due to proliferation risks. The kingdom argues that nuclear power is essential for reducing domestic oil consumption and freeing up more crude for export, as well as for diversifying its economy.
One proposal reportedly under discussion is a “black box” arrangement, where only US personnel would operate any uranium enrichment facility on Saudi soil, aiming to balance Saudi ambitions with US non-proliferation commitments.
The Trump administration appears willing to decouple nuclear cooperation from broader regional issues, such as Saudi normalization with Israel and a comprehensive US-Saudi defense pact, though these topics remain intertwined in the background.
The stakes are high: Iran’s nuclear program looms large, with both Tehran and Riyadh closely monitoring each other’s moves. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously said the kingdom would pursue nuclear weapons if Iran does.
China and Russia are watching closely, as any US-Saudi deal would likely shut them out of a lucrative and strategically vital market. Both countries have been courting Riyadh with their own nuclear offers.
Trump’s trip is expected to include announcements on arms sales and investment deals, with Riyadh reportedly planning to boost its US investments to $1 trillion over the coming years.
With the region’s energy future and security architecture in flux, Trump’s visit could set the tone for a new era of US engagement in the Middle East-one that puts American business and strategic interests at the forefront, while raising fresh questions about nuclear proliferation and great power competition.
Sources: Indian Express, Reuters, Times of Israel, Yahoo News, CNBC
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