How Trump upended the Saudi nuclear deal less than 24 hours after its signing
President Trump abruptly imposed new conditions on a recently signed civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, requiring the nation to join the Abraham Accords. The move reportedly surprised administration negotiators and followed criticism from conservative media outlets.
Why it matters
This highlights the volatile nature of current U.S. foreign policy and the influence of media and political pressure on international diplomatic agreements.
On Wednesday afternoon, officials gathered at the downtown Washington headquarters of the Energy Department for an event more than two decades in the making: the signing of a civilian nuclear agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia. Two sets of American and Saudi flags were placed on stage and on the table where Energy Secretary Chris Wright was seated. A large screen beamed in his Saudi counterpart from Riyadh. After months of delay, the arrangement was finally signed. The Saudis had won much of their wish list for the deal. But as quickly as it was announced, it seemed to fall apart.
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