Recent threats by the Biden administration to punish Saudi Arabia for reducing its oil production last year have been shelved in favor of stepping up security collaboration to oppose Iran. 

President Biden promised to work with Congress to impose penalties after the Saudis rejected White House efforts to postpone the production cut in October, which raised concerns about inflation. Officials from the United States and Saudi Arabia have noticed signs of greater cooperation in recent weeks, such as lowering gas prices in the United States and better-than-expected midterm election outcomes. 

The U.S. president met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on a trip there last year. Following a historic low point in relations between the two nations, this visit has helped U.S. and Saudi officials rebuild ties, among other things.

The Biden administration has moved to withdraw threats of reprisal against Saudi Arabia in an effort to improve ties between the two nations. U.S.-Saudi ties have improved as a result of President Biden’s visit last year, as well as better-than-expected midterm election results and declining gas prices in the United States.

Whether these initiatives to improve ties with Saudi Arabia prove successful remains to be seen. Some have argued the Biden administration’s decision to withdraw threats of reprisal against the Saudis signifies a positive start towards mending the relationship between the two nations.