Trump Warns Saudi Arabia "US Troops Will Withdraw If Production Cuts Are Not Made"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] On the 30th (local time), major foreign media reported that U.S. President Donald Trump pressured Saudi Arabia by threatening to withdraw U.S. troops stationed in Saudi Arabia if the country does not reduce its oil production.

According to the reports, President Trump spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the 2nd and said that if the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) does not cut production, he would not be able to prevent the passage of a bill to withdraw U.S. troops stationed in Saudi Arabia.

In fact, one week before this call, Republican Senators Kevin Cramer and Dan Sullivan introduced a bill to withdraw U.S. troops and Patriot missiles from Saudi Arabia if Saudi Arabia does not reduce production.

Currently, about 3,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Saudi Arabia.

During the call, Crown Prince Mohammed was reportedly so surprised by President Trump's remarks that he instructed his aides to leave the office so they could discuss the matter privately, according to major foreign media.

A senior U.S. administration official said that the pressure to withdraw U.S. troops was conveyed through various diplomatic channels, emphasizing that "the core message was that while Saudi Arabia is destroying our (oil) industry, we are protecting yours."

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