Saudi PIF, Bahrain Mumtalakat ink cooperation, investment deal

TOKYO: Oil prices were little changed on Thursday as markets braced for threatened tariffs by US President Donald Trump on Mexico and Canada, the two largest suppliers of crude oil to the US, and awaited a meeting of OPEC+ producers.

Brent crude futures were down 7 cents, or 0.1 percent, at $76.51 a barrel by 7:11 a.m. Saudi time. US crude futures were little changed at 2 cents up, or 0.03 percent, to $72.64. US crude futures had settled at their lowest price this year on Wednesday.

Trump still plans to make good on his promise to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico on Saturday, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday.

Trump’s nominee to run the Commerce Department, Howard Lutnick, said on Wednesday that Canada and Mexico can avoid the tariffs if they act swiftly to close their borders to fentanyl, while vowing to slow China’s advancement in artificial intelligence.

On the demand front, crude oil stockpiles in the US rose by 3.46 million barrels last week, roughly in line with analysts’ estimate for a rise of 3.19 million barrels, as winter storms that swept the country last week hit demand.

On the supply side, crude oil exports from Russia’s western ports in February are set to fall by 8 percent from the January plan as Moscow boosts refining, traders said and Reuters calculations showed, after the latest US sanctions squeezed crude exports.

Investors are also looking ahead to a ministerial meeting by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, together called OPEC+, scheduled for Feb. 3.

The OPEC+ group of leading oil producers is set to discuss Trump’s efforts to raise US oil production and take a joint stance on the matter, Kazakhstan said on Wednesday. Russia is also a member of the OPEC+ group.

Trump has publicly called on OPEC to lower oil prices, saying doing so would end the conflict in Ukraine. He has also set up an agenda of maximizing the US oil and gas production, already the world’s largest.
However, analysts believe a price war between the US and OPEC+ is unlikely as it may hurt both.

“A price war with the US would involve OPEC+ producers maximizing their output to undercut prices and drive shale production into decline,” analysts at BMI, a Fitch Group division, said in a note.

They predict Brent crude oil prices may go down below $50 as OPEC+ can deploy over 5 million barrels of oil per day in its spare capacity, prompting a fall in the US shale oil production along the prices. 

RIYADH: Former US President Bill Clinton praised Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives on Wednesday, highlighting their role in creating new opportunities for individuals to realize their full potential.

Speaking on the final day of the Real Estate Future Forum in a panel titled “A President’s Perspective: Bill Clinton at RFF 2025,” the 42nd president of the US lauded the Kingdom’s efforts to unlock human potential and foster inclusive development.

“The things that Saudi Arabia is doing now will provide more opportunities for more people to live up to their fullest capacity, and I think this is important,” Clinton said.

He emphasized the importance of Vision 2030 as a strategic framework for sustainable growth and encouraged other countries to take note.

“I think it (Vision 2030) is very important and it’s worth investing in,” Clinton remarked, adding, “I think that we, Americans, should come here and study this 2030 plan and ask ourselves what is our equivalent.”

Clinton expressed a long-standing admiration for Saudi Arabia, stating, “I’ve always felt drawn to this country.” He highlighted the development of human potential as a key driver of the future, adding, “I think that the ability to develop human potential will determine the future.”

Reflecting on his recent visit to Diriyah, a historic district undergoing significant transformation, the former president described the experience as remarkable. “I visited Diriyah last night and I think it was breathtaking,” he said.

Addressing the Saudi youth, Clinton underscored the value of career autonomy in a rapidly evolving job market, acknowledging the various opportunities the government offers to young Saudis.

“It’s a gift to be able to decide what to do with your working hours,” he told the youth, reinforcing the importance of choice and purpose in their professional lives.

Clinton’s remarks at RFF 2025 reaffirmed his admiration for Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030, positioning the Kingdom as a model for economic diversification and social progress on the global stage.

The event, which took place from Jan. 27, was themed “Future for Humanity: Shaping Dreams into Reality.”

Held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh, it brought together over 300 speakers from 85 countries to discuss the future of real estate.

The forum served as a global hub for industry leaders, policymakers, and investors as Saudi Arabia moves forward with its vision for a diversified, innovation-driven economy.