Tangent
Trump transferred his interests in his family businesses to a trust controlled by his sons when he took office a second time, to avoid an appearance of a conflict. Critics point out Trump has maintained a financial interest in many of his assets, rather than selling them.
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Chief Critic
“Congress should approve only if the deal has the same gold-standard safeguards as our deal with the UAE,” Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., posted on X. “A president waging war to prevent nuclear proliferation in the Middle East should not facilitate proliferation just because U.S. companies stand to make a profit.” Sherman was referring to the non-proliferation agreement with the United Arab Emirates that requires more aggressive nuclear inspections. Sherman noted during a congressional hearing later Wednesday that he introduced the “No Nuclear Weapons for Saudi Arabia Act” with then-Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in 2018, “which mandated that any agreement with Saudi Arabia would have to have the affirmative approval of Congress. And I miss Sen. Rubio,” Sherman said. “This Sec. Rubio takes a completely different approach.” Rubio refused to answer questions from reporters about the agreement on Wednesday, deferring to the White House.
What To Watch For
Trump is expected to sign the agreement with Saudi Arabia this week and submit it to Congress for review. Under the Atomic Energy Act, Congress can issue a resolution of disapproval within 90 days, but it would require a veto-proof majority, meaning the agreement is unlikely to fail.
Key Background
The agreement would allow Saudi Arabia to enrich its own fuel for nuclear reactors, which critics fear could facilitate Saudi development of a nuclear weapon. Saudi Arabia would be required to use U.S. companies to supply the reactors, and the U.S. companies would set up safeguards to limit Saudi control over the program and prevent it from using it to develop a nuclear weapon. Referred to as a nuclear “non-proliferation” agreement, the U.S. has 26 similar agreements with 51 governments and the International Atomic Energy Agency, according to The New York Times. The deal reportedly included multiple favorable terms for Saudi Arabia, including limiting international nuclear inspections and potentially allowing the Saudis to enrich uranium or reprocess plutonium, he Times reported. The deal has been in the works for years under previous administrations. Former President Joe Biden required it be contingent on Saudi Arabia recognizing Israel, but Trump abandoned the provision.
further reading
Trump Administration Reportedly Clears Landmark Nuclear Deal With Saudi Arabia (Forbes)
Here’s Everything We Know About Trump’s Financial Ties To Saudi Arabia (Forbes)
Trump Downplays Business Ties To Saudi Arabia—What To Know About His Family’s Dealings (Forbes)
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