China News Service, October 6th. According to a comprehensive report, the "OPEC+" ministerial meeting held on October 5th local time decided to reduce the total oil production by an average of 2 million barrels per day.

This is the largest production cut by OPEC+ since the outbreak of the new crown epidemic in 2020.

After the decision was announced, the White House expressed regret.

According to US media, the decision will have a major impact on the upcoming midterm elections.

Provoked a strong reaction from the White House

　　On the morning of October 5, local time, the "OPEC+" ministerial meeting held in Vienna agreed to reduce total oil production by an average of 2 million barrels per day starting from November.

The report pointed out that the decline was larger than the White House had previously feared.

A U.S. official said there was "spasm and panic" at the White House.

Data map: US President Biden.

　　The meeting noted that production cuts were necessary "given the uncertain outlook for the global economy and oil markets."

U.S. President Joe Biden told CNN he was "concerned" about the production cuts, which he deemed "unnecessary."

The White House said on the same day that Biden was "disappointed" by the decision.

　　Nearly three months ago, Biden embarked on his first trip to the Middle East, part of the purpose of persuading Saudi Arabia to increase oil production, but did not receive much in return.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed has publicly stated that facts have proved that the US has made a complete miscalculation when it regards the Middle East as a battlefield for major power games and the Middle East countries as pawns in the so-called geopolitical "big chess game".

　　The Biden administration has launched an all-out pressure campaign to try to prevent its Middle East allies from slashing oil production at the last minute, but the effort appears to have failed, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.

or have a significant impact on the midterm elections

　　CNN said the OPEC+ decision to cut production could lead to a rise in U.S. gasoline prices at a dangerous time for the Biden administration, just five weeks before the midterm elections.

On March 6, local time, the vehicle passed a gas station in San Mateo County, California.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Liu Guanguan

　　The analysis believes that for Biden, the sharp reduction in oil production comes at an untimely time, and oil prices affect Biden's approval rate.

A surge in oil prices earlier this year caused Biden's approval ratings to plummet.

　　But with the crucial midterm elections just a month away, U.S. gasoline prices have begun to climb again, posing a political risk the White House is trying to avoid.

In the past few weeks, U.S. officials have been weighing possible domestic steps to stem a gradual rise in oil prices, with the OPEC+ decision posing a particularly daunting challenge for the U.S.

　　The "Washington Post" also said that production cuts could have considerable political impact.

Falling gasoline prices this summer have played a big role in the political fortunes of Democrats facing a difficult election season.

They also helped boost Biden's approval ratings, giving Democrats a glimmer of hope.

　　The White House issued a statement on the 5th saying that under Biden's direction, the Department of Energy will provide an additional 10 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to the market in November.

Biden also called on U.S. energy companies to continue to lower oil prices by closing the gap between wholesale and retail gasoline prices.