Jun 30, 2022 - Politics & Policy

Biden says he won't ask Saudi Arabia to produce more oil during visit

Biden

President Biden addresses a press conference on the second and final day of the NATO 2022 Summit in Madrid on Thursday. Photo: EUROPA PRESS/E. Parra./POOL via Getty Images

President Biden said Thursday he would not lobby Saudi leaders to produce more oil during a planned visit to the country next month.

Driving the news: "No I’m not going to ask," Biden said in response to a question from a reporter at a press conference in Spain Thursday. "I've indicated to them that I thought they should be increasing oil production generically, not to the Saudis, particularly."

The big picture: Record-high gas prices have hit Americans hard this spring and summer, and the Biden administration has been scrambling to address the issue.

What's next: Biden’s visit to the Middle East is scheduled for July 13 to 16.

Go deeper: White House announces Biden will visit Saudi Arabia, expects to meet crown prince

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