Saudi-US trade plunges

US exports to Saudi Arabia have plunged to a 12-year low.

Figures for the first half of this year show a drop of 30%. Saudi exports to the US during the same period dropped by 24%.

On the face of it, relations between these two old allies are becoming sourer by the day with reports of economic fall-out from the political strains.

Saudi businessmen and newspaper columnists are urging their fellow-countrymen to withdraw their money from American banks.

Expensive lawsuits are under way, as Americans allege Saudi collusion with terror - and Saudis allege defamation and harassment.

Underlying realities

Now the latest trade figures show a marked decline - and some analysts are attributing this, at least in part, to a Saudi campaign under way for much of this year to boycott American products.

The strains are real - but they should not be exaggerated.

Reports in the Financial Times this week that Saudis have already withdrawn billions of dollars from the US have been disputed by Saudi and Western businessmen.

At the government level, neither side has an interest in seeing the degradation of the relationship get out of hand.

It is still in Saudi Arabia's interest to sell its oil to America - and it is quietly signalling it will continue to exert a moderating influence on both price and supply.

It is still in America's interest to act as the guarantor of Saudi security - for a whole mix of political as well as economic reasons.

So talk of divorce is premature.

Recent events have changed perceptions and stirred up strong feelings - but without fundamentally changing the underlying realities.