Whether Trump bent, bowed or curtsied before King Salman in receiving a gold medal, in policy terms, the trip was an emphatic U.S. bow to the Saudis. Trump praised Saudi counterterrorism efforts without a word of criticism for their funding of Wahhabi extremists around the world. He offered the Saudis a massive $110 billion arms deal despite the fact that their brutal bombing of Yemeni civilians makes it potentially illegal. Trump even adopted the Saudi pretense that their Yemen campaign serves counterterrorism.
The president and two cabinet secretaries awkwardly joined a Saudi sword dance without evident concern for the country’s use of swords to behead people for offenses like political dissent, sorcery and being gay. No administration official criticized the kingdom’s abysmal human rights record whatsoever.
Special Report: Trump told Saudi: Cut oil supply or lose U.S. military support – sources
By Timothy Gardner, Steve Holland, Dmitry Zhdannikov, Rania El Gamal APRIL 30, 2020 UPDATED 2 YEARS AGO
WASHINGTON/LONDON/DUBAI (Reuters) – As the United States pressed Saudi Arabia to end its oil price war with Russia, President Donald Trump gave Saudi leaders an ultimatum.
In an April 2 phone call, Trump told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that unless the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) started cutting oil production, he would be powerless to stop lawmakers from passing legislation to withdraw U.S. troops from the kingdom, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
The effort illustrated Trump’s strong desire to protect the U.S. oil industry from a historic price meltdown as governments shut down economies worldwide to fight the virus. It also reflected a telling reversal of Trump’s longstanding criticism of the oil cartel, which he has blasted for raising energy costs for Americans with supply cuts that usually lead to higher gasoline prices. Now, Trump was asking OPEC to slash output.
What a great way to start a weekend …BREAKING: Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon found guilty on both counts of contempt of Congress. I’m luvin’ it!
Biden neither pandered nor begged the Saudis for oil. The U.S. has been energy independent since the Obama Administration, and exports oil.
The Saudis announced in February of 2021 that they were raising oil prices to recoup the 40% loss in profit due to COVID-19 in 2020, other businesses followed suit making the world wide inflation we have now. If Biden was successful in Saudi Arabia, we’ll see what he accomplished in 2 – 3 weeks.
casonia2 almost 2 years ago
Nailed it, Matt!
Havel almost 2 years ago
I want what I want because I’ve always had what I wanted.
For a group that claims to love the free market, they really seem to hate the free market.
tomtommactom almost 2 years ago
They seem to forget that trump begged them to cut production and bragged that it would be good for the American oil industry profits.
The Nodding Head almost 2 years ago
Taking time out from whining about how expensive it’s become to fill his oversized gas-guzzler.
Radish the wordsmith almost 2 years ago
Whether Trump bent, bowed or curtsied before King Salman in receiving a gold medal, in policy terms, the trip was an emphatic U.S. bow to the Saudis. Trump praised Saudi counterterrorism efforts without a word of criticism for their funding of Wahhabi extremists around the world. He offered the Saudis a massive $110 billion arms deal despite the fact that their brutal bombing of Yemeni civilians makes it potentially illegal. Trump even adopted the Saudi pretense that their Yemen campaign serves counterterrorism.
The president and two cabinet secretaries awkwardly joined a Saudi sword dance without evident concern for the country’s use of swords to behead people for offenses like political dissent, sorcery and being gay. No administration official criticized the kingdom’s abysmal human rights record whatsoever.
https://www.usnews.com/opinion/world-report/articles/2017-05-23/president-trumps-tragic-bowing-before-saudi-arabia-will-have-big-costs
Radish the wordsmith almost 2 years ago
Special Report: Trump told Saudi: Cut oil supply or lose U.S. military support – sources
By Timothy Gardner, Steve Holland, Dmitry Zhdannikov, Rania El Gamal APRIL 30, 2020 UPDATED 2 YEARS AGO
WASHINGTON/LONDON/DUBAI (Reuters) – As the United States pressed Saudi Arabia to end its oil price war with Russia, President Donald Trump gave Saudi leaders an ultimatum.
In an April 2 phone call, Trump told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that unless the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) started cutting oil production, he would be powerless to stop lawmakers from passing legislation to withdraw U.S. troops from the kingdom, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
The effort illustrated Trump’s strong desire to protect the U.S. oil industry from a historic price meltdown as governments shut down economies worldwide to fight the virus. It also reflected a telling reversal of Trump’s longstanding criticism of the oil cartel, which he has blasted for raising energy costs for Americans with supply cuts that usually lead to higher gasoline prices. Now, Trump was asking OPEC to slash output.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-oil-trump-saudi-specialreport-idUSKBN22C1V4
Redd Panda almost 2 years ago
What a great way to start a weekend …BREAKING: Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon found guilty on both counts of contempt of Congress. I’m luvin’ it!
monya_43 almost 2 years ago
Nobody does hypocrisy as spectacular as the rethuglikkkans.
Signe Wilkinson Premium Member almost 2 years ago
We have met the enemy and they are us…
LeeGP almost 2 years ago
Pander schmander. That’s not what happened.
MFRXIM Premium Member almost 2 years ago
The owner of the resource holds the power….nothing new here!
ncorgbl almost 2 years ago
Biden neither pandered nor begged the Saudis for oil. The U.S. has been energy independent since the Obama Administration, and exports oil.
The Saudis announced in February of 2021 that they were raising oil prices to recoup the 40% loss in profit due to COVID-19 in 2020, other businesses followed suit making the world wide inflation we have now. If Biden was successful in Saudi Arabia, we’ll see what he accomplished in 2 – 3 weeks.
wolfdad almost 2 years ago
Wanna give me a list of “yes” and “no”, Mr First Amendment?