Van Hollen criticizes Trump as US-Saudi nuclear pact bars enrichment transfer
The July 22-23, 2026 U.S.-Saudi 30-year civil nuclear agreement supports American-built reactors, excludes uranium-enrichment technology transfer, and remains tied by Trump to Saudi recognition of Israel through the Abraham Accords.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen criticized President Trump’s handling of the U.S.-Saudi nuclear agreement as a “bait and switch” after Trump tied the pact to Saudi normalization with Israel, while administration officials said the 30-year civil nuclear deal does not transfer uranium-enrichment technology to the kingdom. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said the July 22-23, 2026 agreement, signed with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, is focused on civilian nuclear power and full inspections. Under the current framework, any future enrichment-related work would require a separate two-year viability study and, according to the newer account, would remain under exclusive U.S. control with no technology transfer. The accord is expected to face congressional review amid nonproliferation concerns and uncertainty over Trump’s insistence that Saudi Arabia join the Abraham Accords.
- 123 agreement: U.S. legal framework for civil nuclear cooperation with foreign countries.
- uranium enrichment: A process that can produce fuel for civilian reactors but also, at higher levels and with added capability, support nuclear weapons development.
- Abraham Accords: A U.S.-brokered normalization framework launched in 2020 between Israel and several Arab states.