The United States threatens to retaliate against Saudi Arabia and other countries, UAE scholars: oil is not a weapon

The United States threatens to retaliate against Saudi Arabia and other countries, UAE scholars: Washington did not realize the emergence of a new Gulf

　　[Global Times Comprehensive Report] "This is a complete disaster and will be regarded as a hostile action by the United States." "The United States will review its future relationship with Saudi Arabia." Recently, Saudi Arabia and other OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) countries and Russia The "OPEC+" group of non-OPEC oil-producing countries such as Venezuela, Venezuela and other non-OPEC oil producers jointly announced the decision to cut production by 2 million barrels per day, and the Biden administration of the United States has frequently threatened to retaliate.

CNN said the OPEC+ decision to cut production has "spasms and panics" in the White House.

On the one hand, the United States is worried that the decision to cut production will make oil prices rise again, which will dismantle Western sanctions against Russia; on the other hand, as the US mid-term elections are approaching, rising oil prices will endanger the Democratic Party’s election.

Regarding the accusations and threats of the United States, Saudi Foreign Minister al-Jubeir refuted the statement that "Saudi Arabia should be responsible for the rise in U.S. oil prices" in an interview with Fox Television of the United States on the 7th.

He stressed that "oil is not a weapon".

　'This is an act of hostility'

　　"After 'OPEC+' decision to cut production, the Biden administration considers retaliation", the US "Political News Network" said, "OPEC+" recently announced the decision to cut production angered the United States, some angry Democrats vowed to retaliate, they proposed Multiple retaliatory measures, including slashing arms sales to Saudi Arabia and withdrawing U.S. troops from Saudi Arabia.

Democratic Senator Murphy, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Middle East Group, said: "I think it's time for a comprehensive reassessment of the U.S.-Saudi alliance." The UAE withdraws US troops and the Patriot missile defense system deployed there.

However, the report quoted experts as saying that these measures are "difficult to imagine (can be implemented)" because "each measure may have serious consequences, there are potential adverse factors that threaten U.S. interests, and may make U.S. security in the region." The architecture has changed dramatically."

　　On October 5, "OPEC+" held its 33rd ministerial meeting in Vienna, the capital of Austria, and decided to reduce the average daily output of crude oil by 2 million barrels from November.

This is the largest oil production cut since the outbreak, equivalent to 2% of global oil exports.

Previously, Biden and leaders of many Western countries visited the Middle East successively, hoping that key OPEC members such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates would increase oil production in order to cooperate with the West's suppression of Russia's oil exports.

At the same time, Biden also hopes to curb the rise in domestic gasoline and diesel prices and boost the Democratic Party's election.

However, the OPEC+ decision to cut production undoubtedly gave the United States a slap in the face.

Bloomberg said that some White House officials even issued a warning that the "OPEC+" decision would be regarded as a "hostile act" by Washington.

　　According to a Reuters report on the 7th, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken said at a joint news conference with Peru’s foreign minister that the United States “is reviewing various options including future relations with Saudi Arabia.”

At the press conference, a reporter asked: "After the 'OPEC+' decision to cut oil production, is there any idea within the (Biden) administration to re-evaluate the relationship with Saudi Arabia? How worried are you about the gradual approach of the Gulf partners to Russia? Consider At this point, should the U.S. continue to supply Saudi Arabia with weapons?" Blinken said OPEC's decision was "disappointing and short-sighted."

He said that to once again ensure that the United States has enough energy supplies in the market to meet demand, the White House has listed some additional steps, tools, etc. that the United States is considering.

"As for the future relationship, we are reviewing some options. We are in close consultation with Congress."

　　Singapore's "Lianhe Zaobao" said on the 8th that senior senators from both parties in the United States also plan to promote the "Anti-Oil Production and Export Monopoly Act" (NOPEC) to put pressure on OPEC.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, issued a statement accusing Saudi Arabia of "assisting" Russia, saying "Americans will surely keep in mind ... we are looking at all legislative tools, including 'anti-oil production and export monopolies'. Act' to deal with this irritating and selfish and evil move in the most powerful way." According to the report, US President Biden also said on the 6th that he was "disappointed" by the decision of "OPEC+", and the US government is considering Responses.

"Oil is not a weapon"

　　Saudi Arabia appears to be very calm about the threat from the United States.

On the 7th local time, Saudi Foreign Minister al-Jubeir said in an interview with Fox TV of the United States: "With all due respect, the reason for the high oil prices in the United States is that the shortage of oil refining facilities in the United States has continued for more than 20 years." He said, "The United States has not New refineries are being built." Jubeir emphasized that Saudi Arabia did not politicize oil.

"Oil is not a weapon. It's not a fighter jet, it's not a tank, you can't shoot with it, you can't do anything with it." He said that Saudi Arabia only sees oil as a commodity, "We see oil as a global economy An important part. The idea that the Saudis are doing this [cutting production] to hurt the U.S., or get involved in politics in any way, is absolutely incorrect.”

　　Al Jazeera said that OPEC Secretary-General Ghaith also denied on the 7th that "cutting production is an alliance with Russia", saying that cutting production "is not a decision of several countries against other countries."

Kuwait's Oil Minister Fares also said that although he understands some countries' concerns about soaring energy prices, the main consideration of "OPEC+" is to "maintain the stability of the world energy market and the balance of supply and demand."

　　"The decision of 'OPEC+' jeopardizes the election of the Democratic Party." Reuters said that there are only five weeks left until the US mid-term elections on November 8. Saudi Arabia, once the most important ally of the United States in the Middle East, supports the "OPEC+" production cut. It's a major blow to the Democratic race.

The "New York Times" said on the 7th that in the past two or three months, international oil prices fell sharply from highs due to the continuous release of oil reserves by the Biden administration and the intensification of global concerns about economic slowdown.

Recently, however, with the rise in international oil prices, the price of gasoline and diesel in the United States has also risen rapidly.

Data from the American Automobile Association (AAA) showed that the average price of regular gasoline in the United States was $3.89 per gallon on the 7th, which has risen for two consecutive weeks.

Oil prices have risen particularly sharply in California.

The average price of regular gasoline in the state is currently around $6.39 a gallon, near the record high of $6.44 a gallon set in June.

　　What is even more annoying to the United States is that the decision of major oil producers such as Saudi Arabia to cut production sharply may make Western sanctions on Russia "futile".

"Nihon Keizai Shimbun" said the decision led to uncertainty about the effect of the G7's price cap on Russian oil exports.

The production cuts will push up oil prices, making it harder to cut Russia’s oil revenues, exposing the divisions between the United States and Middle East producers more starkly.

White House press secretary Jean-Pierre put it bluntly: "It is clear that 'OPEC+' has chosen to stand with Russia."

"The New Oil War"?

　　"New oil war: 'OPEC+' action against the United States?" The Financial Times said that about half a century ago, Arab countries decided to form oil-producing countries due to the support of Western countries such as the United States and Europe for Israel in the war The coalition took center stage in global politics and stopped supplying oil to the West, which led to the first global oil crisis.

Now, at a time of high global inflation and growing consumer anxiety about energy prices and shortages, oil exporters, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, have made deep production cuts, marking a significant gap between oil exporters and the West, especially the United States. A dangerous rupture".

For Saudi Arabia, which has long relied on U.S. military support through “energy for security,” this underscores Saudi Arabia’s new confidence that it can shake off U.S. pressure and act in line with its own commercial and diplomatic interests, the report said.

The report quoted S&P Vice President Diwan as saying that the move sent a clear signal that Saudi Arabia "choose this (independent) path is even more risky than oil prices."

Abdullah, an Emirati political scientist, said: "Washington is clearly not aware of the emergence of a new bay, and we are no longer at the mercy of Washington."

　　In fact, the "OPEC+" decision is not about choosing sides between the United States and Russia.

Efe said that "OPEC+" has its own standards to trouble the West.

OPEC+ must safeguard its own economic and trade interests, not revolve around Western “geopolitical” needs.

　　The "Russia Today" TV station said that the White House has tried to put pressure on Saudi Arabia and other countries, but these once the closest allies of the United States in the Middle East have no interest in following the United States' instructions economically and politically.

What the United States has done before has left a deep impression on Middle Eastern countries.

After all, the United States will always remember that these Arab countries are not "democracies" and will impose sanctions and restrictions on them.

The OPEC+ decision is a clear signal to world markets and Washington that these countries are implementing their own policies and will not bow to the United States, the report said.