Trump Moves Saudi Nuclear Deal Toward Congressional Approval

U.S. President Donald Trump sent the nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia to Congress for approval overnight, between Tuesday and Wednesday. The president attached a notice stating that "the agreement meets all legal requirements, advances U.S. nonproliferation and foreign-policy interests, and permits the transfer of materials, equipment, including reactors, components, and information for peaceful nuclear purposes." Under the law, Congress now has 90 days to review the agreement.

The request for congressional approval noted that the agreement was signed for a period of 30 years. It would allow American companies to export nuclear technology and civilian reactors to Saudi Arabia, worth tens of billions of dollars.

Meanwhile, reports in the United States said the administration is considering purchasing warships from foreign shipyards to address the rapid growth of the Chinese navy. 

According to the report, the U.S. Department of Defense is expected to publish its first tender in October for the purchase of frigates from shipyards outside the United States. To save time and costs, the foreign shipyards will be able to build the ships themselves while training American shipyards to build the rest. Two close U.S. allies, South Korea and Japan, will compete in the tender.

The third contender is Turkey, which received permission following a conversation between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Trump at last month's NATO summit.