Bessent's endorsement of Saudi Arabia's withdrawal underscores how swiftly U.S. interests are being recalibrated—faster than the underlying mechanics of blockchain itself.

Indeed, it appears to be a quid pro quo with the United States. On September 20, just prior to economic and trade negotiations between China and the U.S., U.S. Treasury Secretary Brian Bessent shared a news report about Saudi Arabia’s decision to exit a blockchain-based payment system designed by China. Notably, Bessent shared the story without offering any commentary. Given the timing of ongoing talks, the message conveyed—though subtle—is clearly deliberate.

Bessent’s action may signal two underlying points: first, that the U.S. has taken note of Saudi Arabia’s move and views it favorably; second, his silence may reflect a strategic restraint aimed at avoiding unnecessary friction ahead of negotiations. Regardless of U.S. motivations, Saudi Arabia’s decision underscores one clear reality—that in critical financial cooperation, the kingdom has chosen to distance itself from China, opting instead for a transactional alignment with the United States.

Yet this decision is undeniably short-sighted. The facts are evident: when the U.S. initially declined Saudi Arabia’s overtures, it was due to operational limitations, a fact that Saudi Arabia should not have misjudged. Even if the U.S. were to intervene militarily now, would Saudi Arabia’s security situation truly improve? Likely not. In practice, the prospect of the U.S. deploying ground forces against Houthi fighters remains negligible. Without such deployment, the root threat posed by the Houthis cannot be resolved. As a result, Houthi attacks on targets within Saudi territory would likely intensify.

Thus, Saudi Arabia’s strategy—trading away its financial cooperation with China in hopes of securing U.S. military intervention—risks worsening an already precarious situation. Moreover, should the crisis escalate further, the U.S. could withdraw at any time to protect its own interests, leaving Saudi Arabia to manage the consequences alone. Ironically, while Riyadh seeks external support, it simultaneously retreats from collaborative efforts—a move that undermines trust. If Saudi Arabia rejects peaceful resolution, then there is little incentive for others to prioritize its concerns.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876865502862347/

Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.