Saudi Arabia revealed the Biden administration requested them to delay oil production cuts until after the American midterm elections.
As the recent oil production cuts by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) are supposed to increase oil and gas prices, the Biden administration was worried about the negative consequences of inflation on the outcome of the elections.
Saudi Arabia Refused to Help Biden
Saudi Arabia, which produces one-third of OPEC’s oil, is the de facto leader of the organization, which makes important decisions about oil production in various countries.
Even though the Biden administration requested Saudi Arabia to delay production cuts, the Kingdom ignored Biden’s requests and announced to decrease oil production by two million barrels per day.
As per the statement released by Saudi Arabia, delaying the production cuts by one month, as requested by America, will have far-reaching harmful consequences on economic growth.
Incredible. Saudi Arabia just threw @JoeBiden under the bus. The Saudis expose that Biden wanted them to delay a decision about limiting oil production until after the midterms because Biden didn’t want new fuel price hikes until after the election. Very corrupt and impeachable. pic.twitter.com/fcfkwSWoO7
— Kim Dotcom (@KimDotcom) October 13, 2022
While responding to Saudi’s statement, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby asserted Saudi Arabia is helping Russia by manipulating the oil supply.
Kirby also stated Saudi Arabia recently told America it was looking to decrease oil production, which would aid Russia in maximizing its oil revenue by averting the impacts of all the prevailing sanctions.
So, Kirby claimed America presented all the data to Saudi Arabia to prove oil production cuts make no sense at the moment and the Kingdom should wait for the next OPEC meeting before making any decision.
Joe Biden asked Saudi Arabia to delay cutting oil production for one reason: to help his party in the midterms. pic.twitter.com/ZeneeZUwYT
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) October 12, 2022
Biden Administration Wants Reduced Bilateral Ties With Saudi Arabia
After Saudi’s announcement to cut petroleum production, the Biden administration stated it is now aiming to “reassess” its bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia.
On Tuesday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre even accused Saudi Arabia of favoring Russia by announcing the petroleum cuts.
She also insisted Biden is now looking to distance himself from the Kingdom, with which the US maintained long-lasting bilateral ties.
According to Jean-Pierre, this is not the right time for any country to align with Russia since it is involved in a dangerous war.
Apart from the upcoming elections in America, the oil production cuts of OPEC are also expected to impact European markets. These markets are already facing the consequences of decreased oil supply from Russia, due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
American lawmakers are also urging Biden to take decisive action against the Saudis.
Democratic Senator Bob Menendez remarked the United States must stop cooperating with the Saudis in every field, adding the US should freeze arms sales to the Kingdom immediately.
Menendez further added there is no midway in the Russian conflict; so Saudi Arabia has to either stand with Russia or remain against it.
Biden also confirmed in his latest interview with CNN that Saudi Arabia will have to face the consequences of aligning with Russia in the wake of the Ukraine war.
This article appeared in The State Today and has been published here with permission.
