Despite Political Disputes, Saudi Oil Exports to Canada Will Continue

On Thursday, August 9, Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih assured Canada that the new political tensions between the two countries would not affect the country's oil exports to Canada. According to Reuters, Al-Falih stated that as the world's largest oil exporter, Saudi Arabia follows a 'stable and long-term' policy that oil supply should not be influenced by political considerations. This statement comes as Riyadh has halted any new trade relations with Canada due to the tensions and has rejected mediation efforts from other countries. In this context, Saudi Arabia expelled the Canadian ambassador from Riyadh on Monday and recalled its own ambassador. This diplomatic dispute arose after Canadian diplomats tweeted messages calling for the 'immediate release' of women's rights activists in Saudi Arabia. One of the detainees, Samar Badawi, is the sister of Raif Badawi, a writer and blogger who was arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and sentenced to a thousand lashes and ten years in prison for insulting Islam. Human rights groups and Western diplomats, including Canada, have repeatedly raised Raif Badawi's case and called for his release. Ensaf Haidar, Mr. Badawi's wife, resides in Canada and was granted Canadian citizenship on the country's national day in July. Saudi Arabia's anger over the Canadian diplomats' messages led to Riyadh cutting wheat imports from Canada and halting funding for its educational and medical programs in Canada. Canada imports about ten percent of its crude oil needs from Saudi Arabia. The trade value between Canada and Saudi Arabia is nearly $4 billion annually. Canada is a major customer of Saudi petrochemical products, plastics, and similar items. In recent years, Canada's most significant exports to Saudi Arabia have been tanks and armored vehicles. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has attempted to reduce tensions, stating that 'diplomatic discussions continue... and we do not want weak relations with Saudi Arabia. This country is very important in the world and is making progress in human rights.' He also added that his country's efforts to expand civil liberties in Saudi Arabia will continue. Although Saudi Arabia has taken steps such as granting women the right to drive, reopening cinemas, and other changes in its social structure, it remains one of the countries with the lowest rankings in freedom of expression, political freedoms, and civil liberties. The Saudi government has also detained more than ten well-known women's rights activists. A U.S. State Department official has reported that it has asked Riyadh to provide more details on the arrests and to 'respect the legal process.' On the other hand, Russia has officially supported Riyadh amid the tensions between Saudi Arabia and Canada over the detention of Saudi activists, stating that Ottawa's request for the release of women's rights activists is 'unacceptable.' This is not the first time Saudi Arabia has responded to criticisms regarding Raif Badawi's case with diplomatic actions. In 2015, after the Swedish Foreign Minister described the court's decision regarding Raif Badawi as 'medieval' and the House of Saud as rulers of a 'dictatorship,' Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador from Sweden.