"I saw a report yesterday. There's so much oil, all over the world, they don't know where to dump it. And Saudi Arabia says, 'Oh, there's too much oil.' They - they came back yesterday. Did you see the report? They want to reduce oil production. Do you think they're our friends? They're not our friends"

This quote was made by Donald Trump during a campaign rally in North Dakota in May 2016. He was referring to a report he saw the previous day concerning a worldwide excess of oil that had triggered prices to drop. Saudi Arabia, as the biggest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), was considering decreasing its manufacturing to maintain prices.

Trump's declaration mirrors his idea that the United States ought to prioritize its very own energy interests over those of other countries, consisting of longstanding allies like Saudi Arabia. He has actually advocated for increasing residential oil manufacturing as well as reducing reliance on international oil.

Trump's criticism of Saudi Arabia as not being a close friend may likewise originate from his stance on international relations, where he has been recognized to take a more isolationist strategy and also focus on nationwide rate of interests above worldwide partnerships.