Trump’s Saudi Arabia trip puts US nuclear cooperation in spotlight

Trump’s administration, according to the Associated Press on Saturday, May 10, 2025, has expressed stron enthusiasm for Saudi Arabia’s quest to develop a civilian nuclear energy program.

Saudi Arabia is reportedly seeking assistance from the United States to develop a civilian nuclear energy program.

Such cooperation between the two countries could benefit the American nuclear industry financially.

This is supposedly by potentially sidelining Chinese and Russian interests in this sector.

However, while the opportunity excites U.S. officials, it also raises significant concerns, particularly regarding nuclear proliferation and regional security implications.

A key issue is Saudi Arabia’s long-standing desire to enrich its own uranium.

This is supposedly a process that can be used both for civilian nuclear power and, with the right technology, for nuclear weapons.

This aspect of the proposed cooperation has drawn scrutiny, as it could heighten fears of a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia’s nuclear ambitions are deeply tied to the broader geopolitical landscape, especially in relation to Iran and Israel.

Both Iran and Israel are also engaged in sensitive negotiations with the U.S.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to make his first visit to Saudi Arabia in his second term in the coming week.

Ahead of the trip, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited the kingdom and indicated that substantial progress toward supporting Saudi Arabia’s nuclear goals could be made this year.

Wright described the U.S. as being “very excited” about working with Saudi Arabia on developing a commercial nuclear energy industry.

Still, major breakthroughs during Trump’s visit are not guaranteed.

Jon Alterman, suggested that the U.S. may opt for smaller, symbolic steps rather than fully committing to a nuclear partnership right away.

Alterman is a Middle East expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies,

These steps could serve to show both Saudi Arabia and Iran that Washington remains engaged and supportive of regional cooperation and nuclear diplomacy.

There are strong practical reasons behind Saudi Arabia’s interest in nuclear energy.

Despite being a leading oil producer, the country’s domestic energy consumption is substantial.

This is particularly due to air conditioning in its desert climate.

Currently, Saudi Arabia uses about one-third of its oil output domestically.

Reducing internal oil consumption through nuclear energy would allow the kingdom to export more oil.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also wants to expand Saudi Arabia’s capabilities in mining and processing its natural resources, including uranium.

Uranium is a critical component for nuclear power, and Saudi Arabia has invested tens of millions of dollars, often in partnership with China.

This investment is reportedly into exploring its uranium reserves.

However, according to the Nuclear Energy Agency, these reserves are not yet economically viable for development.

The Trump administration’s stance is further shaped by its approach to Iran.

Any future deal with Tehran that allows it to retain uranium enrichment capabilities could increase Saudi demands for similar rights.

Although tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia have eased in recent years, Saudi officials remain wary of Tehran’s nuclear potential and want to ensure strategic balance in the region.

Concerns persist that Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of a civilian nuclear program might conceal ambitions for nuclear weapons. I

n 2018, Prince Mohammed stated that if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, Saudi Arabia would do the same “as soon as possible.”

Although relations with Iran have improved, such statements suggest the kingdom views nuclear capabilities as a strategic necessity if Iran advances its own program.

One of the most controversial aspects of the proposed U.S.-Saudi nuclear cooperation is Riyadh’s desire to build its own uranium enrichment facility.

While such a facility could support civilian power generation by producing low-enriched uranium, it could also potentially be used to produce weapons-grade material if not properly safeguarded.

Sharing this technology would represent a major shift in long-standing U.S. policy.

This, reportedly, has avoided transferring sensitive enrichment capabilities to non-nuclear weapon states.

Analysts say that allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium could prompt other countries to follow suit.

This, they say, would increase the risk of nuclear proliferation, warned Robert Einhorn of the Brookings Institution.

Under former President Joe Biden, nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia was part of broader negotiations that also included arms deals, regional security assurances, and progress on Palestinian issues.

The Biden administration linked any nuclear deal to Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel.

The Trump administration, however, appears to be approaching these issues separately.

Although some experts believe it may still use the nuclear agreement as leverage to advance normalization talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel under the Abraham Accords framework.

Following Wright’s visit, concerns have been raised in Israel about Saudi Arabia’s enrichment ambitions.

On the other hand, both Iran and Saudi Arabia are closely watching each other’s negotiations with the U.S. over nuclear matters.

In summary, while the U.S. is enthusiastic about a potential nuclear partnership with Saudi Arabia, the situation is complex and fraught.

According to analysts, it comes with strategic, technical, and diplomatic challenges that go far beyond civilian energy cooperation.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook