Sullivan told CNN that Biden “has no plans to meet with the crown prince at the G20 summit.” This comes as already strained US-Saudi relations have been strained further by Riyadh’s support for oil production cuts.
OPEC+, comprised of the Riyadh-led OPEC cartel and an additional group of ten exporters led by Russia, announced last week that it would reduce global output by up to two million barrels per day beginning in November.
It could send energy prices soaring in the midst of an energy crisis caused by the Ukraine war, and as inflation-weary American voters prepare to vote in midterm elections.
The White House has accused OPEC+ of “aligning with Russia,” claiming that the cuts would increase Moscow’s revenue and undermine sanctions imposed in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
Saudi officials have defended the move as purely economic, rather than political.
