US and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Relations with Defense and Aviation Deals, Nuclear Cooperation on Agenda
The US and Saudi Arabia have improved their relationship and are focusing on defense and aviation deals and potential nuclear cooperation.
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Saudi Arabia this week is a sign of improving relations.
The two countries have also been collaborating on Sudan and space.
Saudi Arabia plans to make an extra 1 million barrel-a-day oil supply cut in July.
The US and Saudi Arabia have major defense and aviation contracts worth at least $265 billion, and Boeing Co. is working to land an additional deal to sell at least 150 of its 737 Max jetliners to state-backed Riyadh Air.
The US and Saudi Arabia are also working together to convince warring parties in Sudan to call a truce.
Saudi Arabia is seeking to develop a civilian nuclear program that includes domestic uranium enrichment, which the US sees as a threat to its national security.
The Saudis are willing to proceed without US blessing and have held parallel negotiations with Russia and China, who are helping them map uranium deposits.
Saudi Arabia is also seeking to export processed uranium and use it to run local power plants.
The US is concerned about China's involvement in Saudi Arabia's nuclear program and is attempting to improve its ties with Riyadh to find a compromise.
The development of a nuclear-energy program is a priority of Vision 2030, Prince Mohammed's plan to diversify the economy away from oil.