US-Saudi Nuclear Deal Nears Final Review Without Restrictions on Uranium Enrichment
The U.S. State Department informed Congress in a letter dated May 18 that the anticipated civilian nuclear cooperation agreement between Saudi Arabia and the United States has entered its final review stage before being signed by U.S. President Donald Trump, according to Reuters.
According to the letter, the agreement does not include the so-called “gold standard,” which prohibits uranium enrichment and nuclear fuel reprocessing.
This U.S. move comes amid Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its energy mix and reduce dependence on oil, as part of its long-term plans to develop alternative energy sources, including peaceful nuclear energy. Involving American industry could open up investment and technical opportunities for U.S. energy and engineering companies, at a time when other global powers are competing for contracts to build reactors and supply technology.
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