 In common with decision-makers in Washington, Rusk felt that the United States had to support Saudi Arabia against Egypt, but he advised Kennedy against pushing Nasser too hard, saying that it would only drive him closer to the Soviet Union.On 8 October 1962, a "Food for Peace" deal was signed with Egypt under the United States committed itself to sell at cost $390 million worth of wheat to Egypt for the next three years.By 1962, Egypt imported 50% of its wheat consumed from the United States and owning to the PL 480 law was some $180 millions per year at time when Egypt's foreign reserves were almost deleted owing to a heavy level of military spending.