President Trump may be sending mixed messages in an energy plan his White House published Friday that said he wants to achieve energy independence by ending oil imports from countries hostile to the United States, while at the same time cooperating with countries in the Persian Gulf to develop a “positive energy relationship” as part of a broader anti-terror strategy.
Trump’s energy plan isn’t specific about which countries his administration will seek energy independence from, except to say all members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, which would include several Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia and even Iran. It would also seek energy independence from “any nations hostile to our interests.”
“Boosting domestic energy production is in America’s national security interest,” it reads. “President Trump is committed to achieving energy independence from the OPEC cartel and any nations hostile to our interests. At the same time, we will work with our Gulf allies to develop a positive energy relationship as part of our anti-terrorism strategy.”
It does not explain what a positive energy relationship would be, except to say that it would be part of an anti-terrorism strategy.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, considered far more hawkish than his predecessor, congratulated Trump on assuming the presidency on Friday in a communique that referenced the two countries moving forward on a strategic vision.
In the cable, the ruler expressed his “keenness to enhance and consolidate” the two countries’ close historical ties “in all fields, in accordance with a comprehensive strategic vision, that would best serve the mutual interests of the two countries and peoples, as well,” according to state-controlled media.
Several of King Salman’s senior Cabinet official also sent Trump congratulatory cables.
