 "US President Donald Trump signs an executive order. Reuters File")
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to boost the country’s nuclear energy, saying that the move will “make us really powerful in the industry”.
“We’re signing tremendous executive orders today that really will make us the real power in this industry. It is time for nuclear and we are going to do it very big,” the president told reporters after signing four orders at the Oval Office.
The orders will prompt the building of new reactors and boost domestic mining and enrichment of uranium, with the United States relying on imports for most of the crucial fuel. Trump said the immediate focus will be on creating smaller reactors and supplying energy to artificial intelligence companies.
The orders will also overhaul the US nuclear watchdog so that it pushes through decisions on building new reactors within 18 months, amid reports that the White House found the regulator too risk-averse.
US-Iran nuclear talks
Trump’s signing of the executive orders follows the third round of talks between the US and Iran on nuclear that has been described as “complicated” by Iran’s foreign minister.
The talks, which began in April, are the highest-level contact between the foes since the United States quit a landmark 2015 nuclear accord during President Donald Trump’s first term.
Impact Shorts
View AllSince returning to the office, Trump has revived his “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran, backing talks but warning of military action if diplomacy fails.
‘Energy emergency’
A senior White House official said the administration hopes to “test and deploy” new reactors before the end of Trump’s second term in January 2029.
Trump’s order “fundamentally rehauls” the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which grants permission for new reactors, by “lowering regulatory burdens and shortening the licensing timeline.”
Republican Trump declared an “energy emergency” on his first day back in office to expand drilling for oil and gas and to roll back Democratic predecessor Joe Biden’s climate policies.
With inputs from AFP