The American newspaper quoted informed sources that talks with China over oil contracts priced in the yuan stalled 6 years ago, but they accelerated this year as the Saudis became increasingly dissatisfied with American security commitments to defend the kingdom, as Saudi Arabia looks to obtain support from the United States regarding intervention in Yemen.
In response to a question about why the Biden administration changed its previous policy, where the US President was calling King Salman and not Prince Mohammed, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said: “President Biden spoke with the Saudi king only a few weeks ago, and there were no contacts that were rejected. , according to CNN.
She added, “The Saudi monarch is President Biden’s counterpart, but again, there are different leaders attending different world events from a range of countries including Saudi Arabia, so if the crown prince attended any of the world events that the president attended recently, I’m sure He was going to deal with it, but he didn’t.”
And “CNN” quoted an official US source, saying that “it is difficult to reach a better situation without dealing with Mohammed bin Salman,” adding: “There is no other way to do this.”
Other US officials acknowledge that the relationship is not close to being as strong as it once was, and that it will require more and high-level attention from the Biden administration.
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