Saudi Arabia is looking to the United States to help it develop a civilian nuclear energy program to broaden its oil-based economy and take advantage of its reserves of uranium.
The Trump administration was excited about the prospect of working on a nuclear program with Saudi Arabia, on the grounds that it would help strengthen American industry and counter Chinese and Russian influence in the region. Energy Secretary Chris Wright mentioned the potential for "meaningful developments" while President Trump is in Riyadh.
A significant barrier is Saudi Arabia's insistence on uranium enrichment, which could open the door to the development of nuclear weapons. Robert Einhorn at the Brookings Institute notes that allowing enrichment capabilities in non-nuclear states creates a risk of proliferation everywhere.
The initiative intersects with U.S. efforts to expand the Abraham Accords and to promote deals with Iran, while working to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
While Saudi Arabia and Gulf allies currently support diplomacy with Tehran, their new nuclear ambitions could jeopardize regional stability. Analysts note the Trump administration may use nuclear cooperation to support broader strategic objectives, including alliances in the Middle East.
U.S. support maintains possible economic benefits for American firms but all actions need to be weighed against any agreed nonproliferation commitment. Past administrations have tried to link nuclear cooperation to Saudi-Israeli normalization and Palestinians' rights, while the Trump administration seems more bluntly fragmented.
In this case, the Saudi Arabia's uranium reserves, while currently viewed as economically unviable by relevant international agencies, speak to whatever plan is being developed regarding energy transition development.