President Joe Biden is reviewing the US government's ties with Saudi Arabia following the decisions of a group of major oil producers to cut petroleum output.
The situation comes as American lawmakers continue to become increasingly critical of the Gulf Kingdom amid the energy crisis. On Tuesday, US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price revealed the move and noted it was being made in consultation with lawmakers in Washington and allies abroad.
Oil Production Cut
Price noted that they were closely monitoring where the United States is currently at and said that they have been talking to partners and stakeholders. The official added that Biden had already spoken about the need to "recalibrate" ties with Saudi Arabia that would better serve the US.
The spokesperson noted that their guiding principle will be to ensure that the US has a relationship that serves its interests. Price emphasized that the relationship with Saudi Arabia is not bilateral and has not always served the nation's interests, as per Aljazeera.
Last week, the OPEC+, which puts together the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other producers, including Russia, announced the move that would most likely push up petrol prices for consumers in the US ahead of the midterm elections.
Critics of the group have argued that the curb in production raises oil prices worldwide, which generates more revenue for Russia that would help it continue to fund its invasion of Ukraine despite Western sanctions on its economy.
According to the New York Times, the strategic communications coordinator for the National Security Council, John Kirby, signaled openness to retaliatory measures proposed by several Democratic congressional leaders. These lawmakers were outraged by the sudden oil product cut announcement.
Saudi Arabia and the US
Democrats have, among other things, proposed curbing security cooperation with Saudi Arabia, which includes arms sales, and stripping OPEC members of their legal immunity so that they can be sued for violations of US antitrust laws.
Kirby, referencing Biden, said that the Democratic president was willing to discuss the US relationship with Saudi Arabia with members of Congress. The official noted that the president knew that many lawmakers from both parties were concerned about the situation.
Kirby, during a previous interview, sounded a note of urgency regarding the situation, arguing that it was not something that could wait. The official's comments came one day after Sen. Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat and the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, criticized Saudi Arabia for essentially supporting Russia in its brutal war on Ukraine.
Now, US officials are trying to persuade the United States' largest Arab partner to walk back on its plan to cut oil production. However, the nation's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has not been swayed.
Bin Salman and Biden previously clashed during the latter's visit to Jeddah in July over the death of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. US intelligence notes that the crown prince approved an operation to capture or kill the victim, who was a Saudi insider-turned-critic and was murdered and dismembered by Saudi agents inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul, Reuters reported.
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