WASHINGTON D.C., April 23 — The Trump administration is reportedly working on a deal with Saudi Arabia to help develop a commercial nuclear energy program — a move that could open the door to uranium enrichment on Saudi soil. But this deal offers the United States more risk than reward.
In the wake of the 2020 Abraham Accords, the Trump administration successfully brokered agreements between Israel and countries like Bahrain, the UAE, Morocco, and Sudan. Saudi Arabia, however, remained the elusive prize. Although the Biden administration continued efforts to bring Riyadh into the fold, the 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel and the resulting war in Gaza intensified regional opposition and renewed Saudi demands for a viable Palestinian state as a prerequisite to normalization.
Despite ongoing conflict and failed ceasefire efforts, the Trump administration seems eager to revive these ambitions — starting with a U.S.-Saudi agreement that could pave the way to normalization with Israel. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has hinted that this approach may already be underway.
Who Really Benefits?
While a grand bargain might seem like a strategic win, the reality is that Saudi Arabia and Israel would reap the rewards, while the United States would be left footing the bill — financially, politically, and militarily.
Saudi Arabia has long pursued nuclear capabilities. A deal that grants them a pathway to enrichment raises serious concerns about nuclear proliferation, especially in a region as volatile as the Middle East. If Israel and Saudi Arabia were to normalize relations, Israel would gain a new ally against Iran. But it would come at the cost of U.S. taxpayers and possibly U.S. soldiers.
Saudi Arabia is also seeking formal U.S. security guarantees — essentially reviving and upgrading the Roosevelt-Ibn Saud agreement that traded oil access for defense. But with the U.S. now leading the world in oil production and carrying a $37 trillion national debt, is it wise to take on yet another costly security commitment?
A Dangerous Precedent
Letting Saudi Arabia enrich uranium on its own soil is a gamble. Previous negotiations hit a wall when the kingdom resisted restrictions meant to prevent nuclear weapon development. Their intent to pursue enrichment — possibly even to bomb-grade levels — poses a major global security risk.
Some argue that if the U.S. doesn't offer support, Saudi Arabia might turn to China or Russia. But if Riyadh won't accept non-proliferation safeguards, it's not about who helps them — it's about what they intend to do with that technology.
America Should Walk Away
There's no need for the U.S. to hand out concessions to secure a deal that benefits everyone but us. A Saudi-Israel agreement should come from direct negotiations between the two nations, not from the U.S. playing middleman at its own expense.
America's role should be one of encouragement, not enablement. If normalization is truly in their mutual interest, let them do the heavy lifting.