Canada's Saudi spat and oil's new world order
Canada's relations with the oil superpower have taken a turn for the worse
It all started with a tweet. In 280 characters, Canada's Global Affairs Ministry unleashed one of the fiercest diplomatic clashes with Saudi Arabia in memory. A seemingly innocent plea to release "peaceful" female human rights activists was met with a decidedly undiplomatic response. The reaction was immediate and swift—and unexpected in its ferocity. Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman expelled ambassadors, suspended all flights between the two countries, revoked visas and ordered the liquidation of all Canadian assets. A Saudi youth group went as far as to post a disturbing image of an airliner colliding with the CN Tower in Toronto in an apparent 9/11 style attack. Although the dispute is os
Also in this section
4 December 2025
Time is running out for Lukoil and Rosneft to divest international assets that will be mostly rendered useless to them when the US sanctions deadline arrives in mid-December
3 December 2025
Aramco’s pursuit of $30b in US gas partnerships marks a strategic pivot. The US gains capital and certainty; Saudi Arabia gains access, flexibility and a new export future
2 December 2025
The interplay between OPEC+, China and the US will define oil markets throughout 2026
1 December 2025
The North African producer’s first bidding round in almost two decades is an important milestone but the recent extension suggests a degree of trepidation
