The Art of the Giveaway
The Trump administration has finalized a deal to provide Saudi Arabia with American civilian nuclear technology. Critics express concern over the lack of clear concessions from Saudi Arabia, despite the administration's claims that the deal benefits American industry.
Why it matters
This deal carries significant geopolitical implications regarding nuclear proliferation and the balance of power in the Middle East.
The Trump administration is giving Saudi Arabia exactly what it wants. For what?
Chip Somodevilla / Getty July 23, 2026, 8:12 PM ET Share Save W hat kind of negotiator gives the other side everything that it wants with the hope of eventually getting something in return?
It’s a question that even some of President Trump’s own allies are asking after his administration signed a landmark deal to develop a civilian nuclear program in Saudi Arabia using American technology. The deal’s opponents, in the United States and Israel, worry that the new pact might ultimately allow for uranium enrichment—and if so, that Trump just gave Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman the tools he needs to build a bomb. What did the U.S. require in return? Pretty much zip.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in