According to the Russian TV today (RT) website on the 16th, U.S. Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany recently wrote a letter to U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Pelosi , proposing that she should investigate whether White House is putting pressure on Saudi Arabia to postpone the "OPEC+" oil production cut decision after the midterm elections of the Congress.
U.S. House Speaker Pelosi Photo source: Associated Press
The "OPEC+" mechanism composed of OPEC member states and non-OPEC oil-producing countries decided to reduce production significantly from November this month on the 5th, reducing monthly output by 2 million barrels per day based on August production. The decision caused an uproar in the United States, and both parties, especially within the Democratic Party, have called for "revenge" and even "breaking diplomatic relations" with , Saudi Arabia. Biden threatened on the 11th, "They (Saudi) have done something for Russia and will bear the consequences for it. I will not disclose what actions I am considering taking, but there will be consequences."
U.S. President Biden Source: Associated Press
Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the 13th saying that the Saudi government noticed the remarks against Saudi Arabia made by all parties after "OPEC+" made the decision to reduce production, describing Saudi Arabia's decision as "taking sides in international conflicts is due to political motives against the United States." Saudi Arabia expressed its firm opposition to these "no factual basis" statements, and the decision on production cuts "is based on pure economic considerations and has been unanimously agreed by all member states."
statement also mentioned that the Saudi government had consulted with the US government on the oil market situation, and the US side suggested postponing the implementation of the production cut plan for one month, but Saudi Arabia believes that doing so will have negative economic consequences. Earlier on the 11th, the US "" Wall Street Journal quoted people familiar with the matter as saying that regarding the US's demand for delaying production cuts, Saudi Arabia believes that the Biden administration's demand is intended to avoid oil prices soaring before the US Congress midterm election in November, affecting the Democratic Party's support rate, so it refused "brightly".
Tiffany's tweet screenshot
US Republican Rep. Tiffany released the content of his letter to Pelosi on social media Twitter on the 14th, and wrote: "If the Biden administration does try to put pressure on foreign governments to affect the results of the US election, Americans should know." He said that if Saudi Arabia's statement is credible, then the Biden administration's attempt to postpone production cuts is equivalent to "the White House illegally requesting actual donations from foreign countries in its mid-term campaign on behalf of the Democratic Party."
In addition to investigating whether the Biden administration and Saudi Arabia have ever been on the phone about the possible delay in production cuts, Tiffany also urged Pelosi to obtain these call records. He also insisted on the disclosure of the identities of these U.S. government officials who may ask Saudi officials to postpone production cuts.
Assistant to the U.S. President’s National Security Affairs Sullivan confirmed on the 16th that Biden will take action to reassess the U.S.-Saudi Arabia “meaningfully”.
RT reported that as the U.S. Congress midterm election is approaching next month, inflation in and high cost of living are the main concerns of American voters, which makes it question whether the Democrats can maintain control of the Senate and the House of Representatives. (Editor: HHJ)
