Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Russian Foreign Ministry: Moscow has lodged a protest with Israeli authorities over the attack on a vehicle belonging to the Representative office of the Russian Federation to Palestinian National Authority
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Brital, Baalbek
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone launched three missiles on the Baalbek-Rayak international road in eastern Lebanon
Salam: The army has been tasked with developing a plan for "state weapons monopoly" by the end of this year and presenting it to the ministerial council before the 31st of this month
Salam: Discussion of the US document paper will be pursued in a government session next Thursday
Salam: We affirm Lebanon's right to self-defense in the event of any aggression.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, in a statement after the government session that discussed the "state weapons monopoly" clause: Based on the ministerial statement, the Lebanese state is committed to implementing international resolution 1701
Sheikh Qassem: Lebanon is a country where sacrifices and blood have been made, and we will discuss any matter related to it in Lebanon; no one think of imposing any diktats on us
Sheikh Qassem: We must beware of the advocates of sedition whose hands are stained with blood and who serve the Israeli project
Sheikh Qassem: We are a fundamental component of Lebanon, so how the resistance is approached must be reconsidered

Saudi considering accepting Yuan for oil sales from China

  • By Al Mayadeen net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 16 Mar 2022 16:22
  • 3 Shares
3 Min Read

As tensions between Saudi Arabia and the US grow, cooperation with China is just around the corner.

  • x
  • The oil refinery of Ras-Tanura in Saudi Arabia (Getty)
    The oil refinery of Ras Tanura in Saudi Arabia

According to sources familiar with the situation, Saudi Arabia is in active negotiations with Beijing to price part of its oil supplies to China in Yuan, a move that would undermine the US dollar's domination of the global petroleum market and represent another turn by the world's top crude exporter toward Asia.

According to the sources, as the Kingdom grows more dissatisfied with the US security guarantees, negotiations with China have picked up, as they have been ongoing for roughly 6 years.

The Saudis are enraged by the US' lack of backing their war on Yemen, as well as engaging in Vienna Talks with Iran over its nuclear program. Saudi officials also said they were taken aback by the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

China purchases more than a quarter of Saudi Arabia's oil exports. Those sales, if priced in yuan, would raise the value of China's currency. The Saudis are also considering including yuan-denominated futures contracts, known as the petro-yuan, in the pricing model of Saudi Arabian Oil Co., known as Aramco.

It would be a significant move for Saudi Arabia to price even a portion of its nearly 6.2 million barrels of petroleum exports in a currency other than dollars. The vast bulk of worldwide oil sales—roughly 80%—are conducted in dollars, and the Saudis have done so solely since 1974 when they struck a deal with the Nixon administration that provided security assurances for the country.

Related News

Trump targets India over Russian oil, says nearing China trade deal

Israeli occupation army bans Chinese EVs citing 'espionage' concerns

China launched yuan-priced oil contracts in 2018 as part of its efforts to make its currency tradeable globally, but they haven't eroded the dollar's dominance of the oil market. Using dollars has become a risk for China, as illustrated by US sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear program and on Russia in reaction to the Ukraine operation. 

Meanwhile, officials in West Asia and the US have said that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammad bin Zayed have declined US requests to speak to the US President in recent weeks, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The US is currently one of the world's leading oil producers. According to the US Energy Information Administration, it formerly imported 2 million barrels of Saudi oil per day in the early 1990s, but that figure has dropped to less than 500,000 barrels per day in December 2021.

China's oil imports, on the other hand, have increased in tandem with the country's growing economy during the previous three decades. According to data from China's General Administration of Customs, Saudi Arabia was China's top crude supplier in 2021, selling 1.76 million barrels per day, followed by Russia at 1.6 million barrels per day.

A Saudi official familiar with the talks said, “The dynamics have dramatically changed. The U.S. relationship with the Saudis has changed, China is the world’s biggest crude importer and they are offering many lucrative incentives to the kingdom."

“China has been offering everything you could possibly imagine to the kingdom,” he added.

  • China
  • Oil prices
  • Saudi Arabia

Most Read

An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025
An explosion seen during an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

If Iran is attacked again, geography of response may change: IRGC spox

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
UN official rejects Netanyahu’s claim, cites Trump on Gaza hunger
Palestine

UN rejects Netanyahu’s claim, recalls Trump Gaza hunger admittance

Norway probes wealth fund’s ties to Israeli war crimes
Politics

Norway probes sovereign wealth fund’s ties to Israeli war crimes

Germany faces revolt over support for Israeli genocide in Gaza: NYT
Politics

Germany faces revolt over support for Israeli genocide in Gaza: NYT

Famine and bullets: Gaza aid lines become 'Israel's' killing fields
Politics

Relief at gunpoint: Gaza aid lines become 'Israel's' killing fields

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS