RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened Saudi Arabia with severe punishment if it's proven that they are behind the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.<br /><br />In response, the Saudis have vowed to carry out retaliatory measures that could potentially spark a "global economic disaster", according to an editorial by Al Arabiya general manager Turki Aldhakhil.<br /><br />The Guardian reports that Saudi Arabia is the world's largest exporter of oil, shipping over 7 million barrels a day worldwide. If they were to halt sales, oil prices could skyrocket from $80 per barrel to over $400.<br /><br />This would not only drive up the global cost of petrol, but also any goods that are transported by land, including basic commodities.<br /><br />As a major importer of U.S. arms, the Kingdom benefits American companies and jobs. But a freeze in U.S.-Saudi relations could jeopardize this and see the Saudis buy from other arms exporters like Russia or China.<br /><br />Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is also set to invest over $20 billion in U.S. infrastructure — an agreement which could fall through in the event of a diplomatic standoff.
