Biden to Announce Saudi Visit Next Month Soon... Expected to Meet Crown Prince

by Moon Chaeseok

Published 12 Jun.2022 20:55(KST)

WSJ "Saudi Arabia Also Included in Israel Visit Schedule... Announcement Possible as Early as the 13th"

U.S. President Joe Biden is delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the 9th Summit of the Americas held in Los Angeles, USA, on the 8th (local time). (Image source=AFP Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The White House is expected to announce President Joe Biden's visit to Saudi Arabia as early as the 13th, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 11th (local time).

WSJ cited two U.S. government sources saying that President Biden plans to visit Saudi Arabia along with his scheduled visit to Israel next month.

The sources said that under the current plan, a meeting between President Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is also scheduled.

President Biden, who is visiting Los Angeles to attend the Summit of the Americas, responded to reporters' questions about whether he would visit Saudi Arabia by saying, "Not decided yet."

Earlier, U.S. media reported that President Biden is considering improving relations with Saudi Arabia in response to soaring oil prices and is contemplating a visit to Saudi Arabia.

The relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, allies for over 70 years, rapidly deteriorated after President Biden took office.

In 2018, tensions arose when President Biden mentioned the possibility of Crown Prince bin Salman being behind the assassination of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

However, with the recent surge in oil prices, the U.S. has urgently moved to improve relations with Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil producer, due to the growing need for cooperation.

Facing declining approval ratings amid soaring inflation ahead of the November midterm elections, the Biden administration is under pressure.

On the previous day, CNN reported that senior U.S. officials conveyed to Saudi Arabia that they are ready to move past the Khashoggi assassination and reset bilateral relations.

There are also voices of criticism regarding President Biden, who has emphasized human rights, covering up the journalist assassination issue?a key point of contention in bilateral relations?and visiting Saudi Arabia.

WSJ reported that even pro-Biden lawmakers within the Democratic Party are criticizing President Biden's trip to Saudi Arabia.