US-Saudi Arabia ties improving despite Iran’s recent China-backed deal

The US-Saudi Arabia relationship has gone through a rough patch in recent years, but recent developments suggest that the tide may be turning towards a more stable environment between the two countries. A State Department spokesperson said that they are focused on ensuring that the engagement with Saudi Arabia continues to serve the interests of the American people, and they have seen and continue to see great strategic value in this relationship. Previous bumpy periods include the oil embargo in the 70s, the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, and the Obama administration’s policy on Iran and the ensuing 2015 nuclear deal. During the Trump administration, ties were boosted, and the former US president made his first foreign visit to Saudi Arabia. That newly built trust was tested after Donald Trump held off on a military response to Iran’s attacks on Saudi oil refineries in 2019.

However, the events of the last six months have been particularly worrying and threatened the continuity of US-Saudi relations. A decision by the Saudi-led OPEC+ to cut oil output before the US midterm elections was interpreted by the Biden administration as a political stunt to undermine the chances of Democrats against Republicans. Washington also accused Saudi Arabia of siding with Russia through its move at a time when the US and Europe were trying to squeeze Vladimir Putin’s coffers in the midst of his war on Ukraine. The White House and other US officials threatened to recalculate the relationship with Saudi Arabia, going as far as threatening economic and financial sanctions. But shortly after, there was a change in tone from US officials toward Saudi Arabia.

US and Saudi officials are now seeing a more positive path forward while still acknowledging the difficult time their bilateral ties are going through. CIA Director Bill Burns traveled to Saudi Arabia this week to reinforce US commitment to intelligence cooperation, especially in areas such as counterterrorism. The US and Saudi Arabia concluded their first joint counter-drone exercise last month at a new military testing center in Riyadh. Additionally, Saudi Arabia recently signed what the US called “landmark deals” with Boeing for over 120 aircraft worth $37 billion.

Sources familiar with the deal have said that its signing was called off in October following the Biden administration’s accusations of Saudi Arabia siding with Russia. The NSC spokesperson also said that the US and Saudi Arabia were working together on “more trusted and secure” 5G and 6G networks through “O-Ran technologies.” An upcoming test could be the result of ongoing negotiations in which Saudi Arabia has requested US technology to enrich the uranium Riyadh possesses to produce and then sell fuel. Otherwise, Saudi officials have said they could look to China, Russia or France for help.

The State Department spokesperson said the Biden administration was committed to supporting Saudi Arabia’s clean energy transition, including its efforts to develop a peaceful nuclear energy program, but stopped short of signaling US approval for Saudi’s uranium enrichment plans. Nevertheless, the official praised Saudi Arabia for being a strategic partner of the US for eight decades and said it was “very clear that we have important work ahead” with Riyadh, including on Ukraine, Yemen, threats from Iran, climate change, and 5G and 6G networks.