Biden to ‘Re-evaluate’ US-Saudi Relations After OPEC+ Oil Cuts
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Key Facts: National Security Council spokesman John Kirby suggested Tuesday that President Joe Biden was re-evaluating relations with Saudi Arabia after OPEC+ approved its largest oil production cut since the start of the pandemic.
Key Quotes: “I think the president’s been very clear that this is a relationship that we need to continue to re-evaluate, that we need to be willing to revisit,” Kirby told CNN (Left bias), adding, “And certainly in light of the OPEC decision, I think that’s where he is, and he’s willing to work with Congress to think through what that relationship ought to look like going forward.” Kirby also said Biden would be willing “to have those conversations right away.”
For Context: OPEC+ is heavily influenced by Saudi Arabia, and its oil cuts could raise U.S. gas prices ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. Biden visited Saudi leaders in July as U.S. gas prices reached record levels. Falling gas prices have since been key in stabilizing U.S. inflation by canceling out rising prices in other sectors. September’s CPI inflation data is scheduled for release on Thursday.
How the Media Covered It: Coverage was widespread and mostly balanced across the spectrum. Coverage from some outlets framed the OPEC+ oil cuts as a “betrayal” that “angered” Biden and Democrats.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
White House says Biden will work with Congress to ‘re-evaluate’ relationship with Saudi ArabiaPresident Joe Biden feels that the US’ relationship with Saudi Arabia needs to be re-evaluated in the wake of the OPEC+ decision last week to decrease oil production, a National Security Council spokesman said.
In an interview with CNN’s Brianna Keilar on “New Day,” National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby said Biden is “willing to work with Congress as we think about what the right relationship with Saudi Arabia needs to be going forward.”
“I think the President’s been very clear that this is a relationship that that we need to continue to...
From the Right
Biden to ‘re-evaluate’ US-Saudi ties after OPEC+ cuts oil productionPresident Biden is reconsidering the US relationship with Saudi Arabia after the Riyadh-led OPEC+ cartel announced last week it will slash oil production by a total of 2 million barrels per day beginning next month.
The US and the Middle Eastern nation have long been strategic partners, with Saudi Arabia America’s third-leading source of imported oil, according to the State Department. But that relationship could change after last week’s OPEC move, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday.
“I think the president’s been very clear that this is a relationship that...
From the Left
Biden "to re-evaluate" U.S.-Saudi relationship after OPEC oil cutPresident Biden will "continue to re-evaluate" the U.S.' relationship with Saudi Arabia after a group of international oil exporters and Russia decided to significantly cut oil production in response to falling fuel prices, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told CNN on Tuesday.
Driving the news: The White House warned last week that Biden may support legislation aimed at reducing OPEC’s control over energy prices, suggesting Biden is considering a new, escalatory approach with the Saudis, Axios' Alayna Treene and Hans Nichols report.
Kirby reiterated this warning Tuesday, stressing that Biden is "willing"...
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