Trump's Nuclear Agreement with Saudi Arabia Faces Congressional Scrutiny

President Donald Trump has formally submitted a controversial agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress, aimed at enhancing the kingdom's civilian nuclear capabilities. This submission, made on August 24, is part of the requirements under the Atomic Energy Act, according to a Trump administration official and several sources who spoke anonymously.

The deal, signed last month by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and his Saudi counterpart, has become contentious due to Trump’s insistence that Saudi Arabia must normalize relations with Israel before the agreement can proceed. This condition, revealed shortly after the agreement was signed, has raised questions about the deal's viability.

Congress has a 90-day window to review the agreement, which can be enacted unless a joint resolution opposing it is passed. While typically, details of such agreements are made public, this one is largely classified, which is unusual for a civil nuclear agreement.

The Saudi government has not commented on the matter yet, but Trump's demand for them to join the Abraham Accords complicates negotiations. The accords, established in 2020, have expanded diplomatic ties between Israel and several Arab nations. However, Saudi officials have indicated that they will not normalize relations without a clear plan for Palestinian statehood, a condition that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed.

If approved, the agreement could span 30 years and involve U.S. firms in the development of Saudi Arabia's nuclear program, following a joint study between the two nations.

Source: www.thehindu.com