President Donald Trump on Thursday said an agreement being reached with Saudi Arabia for a civilian nuclear program requires the kingdom to normalize relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt held a news conference Thursday. Watch in the video player above.
In a post on social media, the Republican president said the deal doesn’t allow for enrichment of uranium. Nonproliferation experts have raised concerns that the deal fails to include guardrails to prevent enrichment of uranium to weapons-grade levels.
White House says Trump has been consistent in demanding Saudi Arabia join Abraham Accords
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump’s assertion that Saudi Arabia must join the Abraham Accords as part of a civilian nuclear deal is a position he’s long held.
“It will eventually, hopefully be finalized with the condition that the president spoke about this morning,” Leavitt said.
WATCH: Critics warn U.S. nuclear power deal with Saudi Arabia could fuel proliferation
Saudi officials have yet to comment since Trump announced that the deal, announced Wednesday by the two countries, is subject to joining the accords.
But Leavitt made the case that the president’s decision is hardly surprising, saying “this is something he has raised in previous conversations and also said many time in the past” with Saudi officials.
Leavitt says Trump is ‘final dealmaker’ on potential U.S.-Saudi nuclear agreement
The U.S. Energy Department and Saudi government announcement on Wednesday made no mention of the civil nuclear deal being contingent on the kingdom normalizing relations with Israel.
So Trump’s social media post on Thursday asserting that the deal was subject to the Saudis joining the accord — what would be a monumental achievement for the administration if it ever happens — was unexpected.
When asked by a reporter why the condition was not mentioned in the initial announcement, Leavitt said the president was the “final dealmaker” and has called on Saudi Arabia to join the accords “on numerous occasions.”
Tate brothers won’t get help from the White House
Asked whether the White House would intervene in the extradition of social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate, press secretary Karoline Leavitt flatly rejected the idea.
“No, we’ve already answered that question,” Leavitt said before moving on at a Thursday briefing.
The Tate brothers are fighting their extradition to the United Kingdom, where they’re accused of rape and sex trafficking. They were arrested by federal authorities on Saturday in Miami.
Trump administration to announce new tariffs on Thursday
Leavitt said Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade representative, will announce “later” on Thursday a new set of tariffs.
After the Supreme Court in February rejected Trump’s ability to declare an economic emergency to impose sweeping import taxes, Trump unveiled 10% global tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 that could only be in place for 150 days. Those replacement tariffs are set to expire Friday.
Greer in March launched a series of investigations using Section 301 tariffs from the Trade Act of 1974. Those taxes could replace the expiring tariffs.
The Section 301 investigations applied to countries with industrial excesses that disadvantage U.S. goods and trade partners that fail to adequately enforce restrictions on importing goods made by forced labor.
White House says Trump is losing patience with Thune
Asked if Trump is frustrated with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Leavitt said, “The president spoke about this directly yesterday.”
She was referencing comments Trump made at a rally Wednesday in Georgia where he expressed frustration that his agenda is hampered in the Republican-controlled Senate by rules requiring 60 votes to advance most legislation — including the SAVE America voting bill he talks about often.
Trump’s Republican Party doesn’t have 60 members in the Senate.
The president told the rally, his voice rising as he spoke: “Everybody call John Thune at the Senate. He’s the leader of the Republican Party. And tell him to get this stuff approved.”
Leavitt added Thursday at the White House: “His patience is running out.”
Trump to deliver remarks at Sen. Lindsey Graham’s funeral
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president will honor his friend and ally at a funeral service next week.
“On Tuesday afternoon, the president will deliver a tribute honoring the life and legacy of his dear friend, Sen. Lindsey Graham, at the National Cathedral,” Leavitt said during a Thursday briefing.
Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, died July 11.
Trump is taking his next Cabinet meeting on the road
Leavitt announced Trump will hold a Cabinet meeting on July 31 — and there’s a twist with this one.
The president will host the Cabinet at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains. Leavitt said the meeting “will be a lot of fun and something different for the Cabinet to experience together.”
Trump last visited Camp David in June to celebrate Father’s Day and his 80th birthday with family.
