U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement on crude oil prices trading at a negative price today as Saudi oil tankers make their way to the United States:
“Today’s collapse poses a devastating threat to our oil and gas sector, with job losses in the thousands and national security being weakened if the industry cannot recover. The dramatic low underscores why we cannot allow Saudi Arabia to flood the market, especially given our storage capacity dwindling. Right now, the highest number of Saudi oil tankers in years is on its way to our shores. Given today’s news, I call on President Trump to prevent them from unloading in the United States.”
Senator Cramer has made previous calls in the past.
- March 18 in a statement: “President Trump should use 232 authority to halt imports of oil from both [Saudi Arabia and Russia] immediately until they stop this [oil dispute] nonsense.” Link.
- March 18 in a letter: “I urge you [President Trump] to direct your Administration to take immediate action under the authorities granted to you, including Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, to embargo crude oil from Russia, Saudi Arabia, and other OPEC nations like Iraq.” Link.
On the tankers specifically:
- April 8: “Right now, the Saudis are sending a wave of supertankers loaded with crude oil to the U.S. President Trump: don’t let them unload on American soil. Whether through embargo or tariff, the Kingdom cannot flood the market then expect us to fix it.” Link.
- This Weekend (twice): “The incoming Saudi tankers are going to make a dire situation worse. The supply glut is Saudi Arabia’s fault, let’s not force American oil producers to suffer for it. President Trump shouldn’t let these tankers unload on our soil. America first!” Link and another link.
