Biden is planning a trip to Saudi Arabia, and the White House just recognized the Gulf state’s leadership in a new deal to increase oil supply this summer
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/06/joe-biden-saudi-arabia-pariah-state
winds appear to be shifting between President Joe Biden and Saudi Arabia—a country he not so long ago campaigned on making a “pariah” state—as the White House is reportedly planning a presidential visit to the Gulf state, and has explicitly recognized the country for agreeing to an increased oil supply for the summer months.
Saudis, who enjoyed particularly strong U.S. support when Donald Trump was in office, have indicated that their relationship with the White House has deteriorated under Biden. Biden has previously said Saudi Arabia's government has “no redeeming social value.”
In his initial presidential dealings with Saudi Arabia, Biden opted to exclusively communicate with King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud, the kingdom’s official head of state, while shunning the more powerful crown prince. (MbS)
That calculus appears to have changed as gas prices in the U.S. continue to reach record highs due to Russia’s war in Ukraine, rising inflation levels, and a general market downturn.
Just three months ago, Saudi officials were reportedly ignoring the White House’s calls to boost its oil exports. However, the Financial Times reported this week that Saudi Arabia is now open to increasing its oil shipments to the West if wartime sanctions cause Russia’s oil output to tumble.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/06/joe-biden-saudi-arabia-pariah-state
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/06/joe-biden-saudi-arabia-pariah-state
winds appear to be shifting between President Joe Biden and Saudi Arabia—a country he not so long ago campaigned on making a “pariah” state—as the White House is reportedly planning a presidential visit to the Gulf state, and has explicitly recognized the country for agreeing to an increased oil supply for the summer months.
Saudis, who enjoyed particularly strong U.S. support when Donald Trump was in office, have indicated that their relationship with the White House has deteriorated under Biden. Biden has previously said Saudi Arabia's government has “no redeeming social value.”
In his initial presidential dealings with Saudi Arabia, Biden opted to exclusively communicate with King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud, the kingdom’s official head of state, while shunning the more powerful crown prince. (MbS)
That calculus appears to have changed as gas prices in the U.S. continue to reach record highs due to Russia’s war in Ukraine, rising inflation levels, and a general market downturn.
Just three months ago, Saudi officials were reportedly ignoring the White House’s calls to boost its oil exports. However, the Financial Times reported this week that Saudi Arabia is now open to increasing its oil shipments to the West if wartime sanctions cause Russia’s oil output to tumble.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/06/joe-biden-saudi-arabia-pariah-state