President Joe Biden is seen on the South Lawn of the White House on July 8, 2022.
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President Joe Biden has defended his controversial visit to Saudi Arabia next week, saying the trip is critical to the security of the United States.
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As president, it is my job to keep our country strong and secure.
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We have to counter Russia's aggression, put ourselves in the best possible position to outcompete China, and work for greater stability in a consequential region of the world
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To do these things, we have to engage directly with countries that can impact those outcomes.
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Saudi Arabia is one of them, and when I meet with Saudi leaders on Friday, my aim will be to strengthen a strategic partnership going forward that's based on mutual interests
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The President's visit has drawn criticism given that US intelligence has deemed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman responsible
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As a candidate for President, Biden had pledged to make the kingdom a "pariah."
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Calling the region "essential to global trade and the supply chains we rely on" while also noting how critical Middle East energy supplies are in light of sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
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Biden is set to travel to the region on Wednesday.