New York, USA (CNN) – OPEC and its allies have defended the decision to cut oil production, saying they are trying to prepare for a possible economic downturn that would hurt energy demand.
Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, does not believe this Saudi-led OPEC argument and is lobbying to punish the kingdom.
“You’re causing the recession,” Blumenthal told CNN in a telephone interview Tuesday, expressing his outrage. “Not only did Saudi Arabia not worry about us, but it dealt us a heavy blow.”
The OPEC + production cut, announced last week, has already pushed up oil prices and fuel pump prices. Rising energy prices will only exacerbate inflationary pressures that increase the risks of a recession.
Blumenthal and Democratic Representative Ro Khanna announced legislation on Tuesday to stop all US arms sales to Saudi Arabia for one year. This will include military supplies, sales and other arms aid to Saudi Arabia, a longtime partner of the United States in the Middle East.
“They chose to ally with Russia and increase Russia’s profits at a time when Russia needs more money. It’s terrible,” Blumenthal said, adding that there is a “very strong desire” for Washington to respond. to Saudi Arabia, which is “an unreliable partner at best.” Extremely”.
Blumenthal noted that the OPEC + production cut comes just months after President Joe Biden’s visit to Saudi Arabia, a trip that overturned his campaign promise to make the kingdom a “pariah” due to its human rights record. .
Asked whether Biden’s trip to Saudi Arabia was a failure, Blumenthal said the trip “did not achieve its purpose” but that the president was making a “justifiable” effort.
The Saudi embassy did not respond to a request for comment.
The US State Department said on Tuesday that “decisions” on future US-Saudi relations will be made “in a consultative manner” and stressed that the OPEC + decision was “misleading”.
The Blumenthal-Khanna legislation would require a one-year moratorium on all direct foreign military and commercial sales of arms and ammunition to Saudi Arabia, including a moratorium on the sale of parts, installations, support services and support programs.
A Senate bill was introduced on Tuesday to stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia, while a copy is expected to be submitted to the House of Representatives soon.
Blumenthal said he hoped the legislation would “rebalance” the “one-sided” relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia.
“Saudi Arabia takes up arms, gets paid for oil, then turns around and betrays us,” he said.
As soon as possible, Blumenthal said the goal is for OPEC + to cancel its decision to cut oil production early next month. “It’s not too late,” she added.
