President Biden poses with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on July 15. Photo: Royal Saudi Arabian Court/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
President Biden will “continue to reassess” the U.S. relationship with Saudi Arabia after a group of international oil exporters and Russia decided to slash oil production in response to falling oil prices, said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. told CNN on Tuesday.
Newest: Biden told CNN in an interview that aired on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia’s decision to cut oil production would have “consequences,” but declined to elaborate further.
Push News: The White House warned last week that Biden could support legislation aimed at reducing OPEC’s grip on energy prices, according to Axios’ Alayna Treene and Hans Nichols report, a sign that Biden is considering a new escalation approach to Saudi Arabia.
- Kirby repeated the warning on Tuesday, stressing that Biden is “willing” to work with Congress to redefine the relationship.
Why it matters: OPEC+’s decision to cut oil production by 2 million barrels a day starting in November could have ripple effects around the world. In the US, the move could raise gas prices again — just before the midterm elections, according to Axios’ Ben Geman.
What are they talking about: “I think the president is very clear that this is a relationship that we need to continue to re-evaluate and that we need to be willing to re-examine,” Kirby told CNN.
- “Certainly, given OPEC’s decision, I think that’s where he’s at, and he’s willing to work with Congress to think about what that relationship should look like going forward,” Kirby added.
- Kirby later added in a conference call with reporters that OPEC’s move to cut production was “a short-sighted decision that benefits Russia at a time when no one should try to benefit Vladimir Putin.”
Saudi ArabiaOil Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman has said OPEC+ is just trying to get a head start on a possible drop in demand, Dave Lawler of Axios reports .
Big picture: According to CNN, Biden administration officials tried earlier this month in a last-minute lobbying effort to dissuade OPEC+ from making the decision, saying the production cut could be a “total disaster” and could be interpreted as “a total disaster.” Hostile Acts”.
- Biden faced backlash over his visit to Saudi Arabia in the summer and clashed with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ahead of a meeting aimed at recalibrating U.S.-Saudi relations and strengthening U.S. involvement in the country. regional influence.
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Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with new details.