US-Saudi relations have always been tight, but could this all change with America’s new President Donald Trump?
Well, the Saudi energy minister, Khalid al-Falih, has warned Trump to think carefully before following through on election promises to block oil imports from the Kingdom. Trump pledged during his campaign to strive for “complete American energy independence” from “our foes and the oil cartels”.
In March, Trump also suggested he might cease US oil purchases from Saudi Arabia unless they provided ground troops for the fight against Daesh.
However, speaking to the Financial Times in Marrakesh on Tuesday, al-Falih, who is also the chairman of Aramco oil company, said that Trump should recognize that blocking the free trade of oil is not healthy.
Saudi Arabia is America’s biggest Middle Eastern oil supplier, providing 11 percent of imports to the country. It is also the most powerful ally to the US in the region, with Obama having signed $115 billion worth of arms deals to the country during his administration.
The relationship has often proved controversial, given human rights abuses committed by the Saudi government, and their bombardment of civilian targets in Yemen.
There are signs that under Trump, relations could become considerably frostier, especially after Prince Walid bin Talal posted the following tweet during Trump’s campaign, only to backtrack once the Republican candidate had won:
.@realDonaldTrump
— الوليد بن طلال (@Alwaleed_Talal) December 11, 2015
You are a disgrace not only to the GOP but to all America.
Withdraw from the U.S presidential race as you will never win.
As for the response to the Saudi pleas for American oil purchases, many were emphatic in their support for Trump’s desire for autonomy from oil powers:
@CNN this is what Saudi Arabia does to gays. Cutting off purchases of oil is hardly enough, there shd be more sanctions against them. pic.twitter.com/AyupnJu60o
— Jerusha (@JerushaRed) November 17, 2016
It's a good thing.... we don't need Saudi oil. https://t.co/3ioPr2hz02
— SassyUSAGramma (@sassy_gramma) November 17, 2016
(2 of 2)
— Harlan Hill (@Harlan) November 16, 2016
It will take decades to move beyond fossil fuels.
In the meantime, energy independence is an issue of national security. https://t.co/LK5l91LyKl
Saudis were equally defiant in claiming not to need America:
America will loose the Saudi investment of hundreds of billions and the Kingdom will find many countries which require petrol. Trump will modify every decision that was taken before reaching the presidency.
Could we be seeing an end to this controversial relationship come January, when Trump takes office? Al-Falih and Saudi Arabia are still waiting to to see what Trump’s campaign rhetoric will mean in practice.
RA
