Today, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation. This MOU aims to enhance peaceful nuclear cooperation between the United States and Malaysia.
The diplomatic relationship between the two nations has been longstanding, marked by collaboration in areas such as security, energy, and commerce. The signing of this MOU is seen as a significant step towards building a strong civil nuclear partnership.
Additionally, both countries have initiated negotiations for a civil nuclear cooperation agreement, known as the 123 Agreement. This move supports the Trump Administration's Executive Order 14299, titled "Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security." The agreement is expected to foster international civil nuclear cooperation, bolster American energy dominance, and promote strategic energy partnerships with allies while upholding high standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation.
123 Agreements provide a legally binding framework for peaceful nuclear collaboration between the United States and its partners. They serve as a foundation for long-term strategic partnerships in civil nuclear matters globally. Furthermore, these agreements are intended to boost the U.S. economy by enhancing commercial competitiveness in the global civil nuclear market and expanding opportunities for increased sales internationally.