Ongoing OPEC negotiations “inspire” the Biden administration Joe Biden News

The White House press secretary stated that the administration of US President Joe Biden had “many high-level dialogues” with Saudi and UAE officials.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that Biden administration officials are “encouraged” by the ongoing OPEC negotiations and have talked with officials in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, hoping to reach an agreement to curb the rise in crude oil prices.

“We are not a party to these negotiations, but over the weekend and this week, we have had many high-level dialogues with officials from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other relevant partners,” Psaki said in a briefing at the White House on Tuesday.

She declined to specify which US officials were involved, but said she did not want President Joe Biden to call in person.

She said the United States hopes that negotiations will lead to an agreement that “will promote access to affordable and reliable energy.” She said the U.S. government is very interested in the impact of negotiations on U.S. natural gas prices.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said that Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, who is visiting Washington, met with senior defense officials on Tuesday, but did not provide details of the talks. Khalid will attend a meeting at the State Council on Wednesday.

“The President wants Americans to have access to affordable and reliable energy, including at gas stations. This is why our team constantly monitors natural gas prices and communicates directly with OPEC parties to reach an agreement and allow the proposed increase in production to move forward,” Psaki said.

As Saudi Arabia and the UAE are arguing about increasing production, crude oil prices have soared and fluctuated. The deadlock in the negotiations increases the possibility that the two countries may abandon their quotas and increase supply. The existing OPEC+ production restrictions still exist.