KEY POINTS
  • The U.S. on Friday disputed claims that a forthcoming visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Saudi Arabia signals America's waning influence in the Middle East.
  • "The United States is a vital partner to not only Saudi Arabia but each of the countries in the region," Tim Lenderking, special envoy for Yemen, told CNBC.
  • Xi is expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia next week for a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, just a month after President Joe Biden's controversial visit.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration on Friday disputed claims that a forthcoming visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Saudi Arabia signals America's waning influence in the Middle East, insisting that the U.S. is "not going anywhere."

Tim Lenderking, U.S. special envoy for Yemen, said that diplomatic visits by other global powers were to be expected, but said that the U.S. had asserted its commitment to the region following a visit by Biden in July.