WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 12th December, 2018) US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry told officials from the new government in Baghdad that the United States wants to help Iraq achieve resource independence, the public affairs office said in a press release.
"During his [Perry's] meetings, he delivered a firm message on behalf of the Trump Administration to the newly formed government that the United States is serious about its desire to help make Iraq energy independent," the release said on Tuesday.
Perry added, however, that Baghdad must take steps to reduce Iranian influence by increasing exports north to Turkey to levels not seen since 2017.
As of 2017, Iraq was the US fifth largest importer of petroleum products after Venezuela, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Canada, accounting for 600,000 barrels per day, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
