A group of US congressmen has proposed withdrawing US troops from the UAE and Saudi Arabia in response to OPEC’s decision to cut oil production by two million barrels per day.
The bill was introduced by Democratic congressmen Tom Malinowski, Sean Kasten, and Susan Wild. It envisages the withdrawal of the American contingent along with the air defense systems that effectively serve as a shield against Israel and Iran.
“The sharp reduction in oil production by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, despite President Biden’s support for both countries, is an act of hostility against the United States and a clear signal that it has sided with Russia in its confrontation with Ukraine,” the congressmen said.
Republicans also called for a backlash.
Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley has called for OPEC to be punished for cutting production by passing legislation that would hold oil producers accountable for the cartel and price-fixing collusion.
“My bipartisan NOPEC Act will dismantle these foreign oil cartel tactics,” Grassley said, adding, “It has already been approved by the Judiciary Committee on a bipartisan basis, and there is no reason it shouldn’t be adopted as part of our upcoming efforts to protect ourselves.” Our energy supply is a matter of national security”.
Senate Majority Leader Democrat Chuck Schumer has indicated he may support NOPEC.
“What Saudi Arabia has done to help Putin continue to wage his despicable, brutal war against Ukraine will be long remembered by Americans,” Schumer said. this appalling and deeply cynical action, including the NOPEC bill.”
OPEC and Russia earlier agreed to cut oil production by two million barrels per day from November, taking production levels agreed for August as a starting point.
The cartel explained its decision by the uncertainty surrounding the world economy and the forecasts for the oil market.
However, this is happening against the background of the unfolding energy crisis in Europe and the rising prices of energy resources around the world.
