US, Saudi Arabia to sign preliminary energy, nuclear agreement

The United States and Saudi Arabia are poised to sign a preliminary agreement on energy cooperation and civilian nuclear technology, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on April 13 during a press conference in Riyadh.

Wright, who arrived in the Saudi capital from the United Arab Emirates on April 12 as part of a regional tour that will also include Qatar, said Washington and Riyadh were on a "pathway" to deepen collaboration across energy sectors, including mining and nuclear technology, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

“There have been very wide-ranging dialogues for a day and a half now, and they're going to continue. We've talked about energy in all aspects of energy. We've talked about mining, critical materials. We've talked about processing in industry. We've talked about climate change. We've talked about human lives and what drives their improvement and how best to achieve those ends,” Wright told journalists at the Saudi Energy Ministry.

Further details regarding the memorandum of understanding are expected later this year.

The visit by the US official comes amid global economic uncertainty linked to tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. However, Wright insisted the measures are intended to promote “fair and reciprocal trade.”

He said: “So tariffs are also a way to give a nudge and encourage investment into our country, to make products in our country, to grow economic opportunity and prosperity in America.”

Wright added that many of the United States’ intensive industries, particularly in the energy sector, have been relocated abroad, negatively affecting American workers. “Too many Americans have seen their job opportunities shift overseas,” he said.

On April 12, Wright met Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), where he was briefed on the Kingdom’s initiatives in energy policy research, climate change, sustainable transportation, and consultancy. The two sides also explored opportunities to strengthen research collaboration and share expertise.

Prince Abdulaziz had previously announced in September that the Kingdom was working to develop peaceful applications for nuclear energy across multiple fields.

Wright expressed optimism about Saudi investment in the United States: “Saudi Arabia will be one of the leading countries in investing in the United States. I think that's a win for the Kingdom here. It's a win for the United States. And for us, most importantly, it's a win for the working class and American citizens to have better job opportunities.”

Looking ahead, President Trump is expected to visit Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar in May as part of efforts to reinforce ties with key Gulf partners.

Wright concluded by saying, “The broader objectives of the US and Saudi Arabia are prosperity at home and peace abroad.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev