US asks Japan, China, others to consider tapping oil reserves

The Biden administration has asked some of the world's largest oil consuming nations - including China, India and Japan - to consider releasing crude stockpiles, Report informs, citing foreign media.

The unusual request reflects US frustration with members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies who have rebuffed repeated requests from Washington to speed up their production increases.

A Japanese industry ministry official said the United States has requested Tokyo's cooperation in dealing with higher oil prices, but he could not confirm whether the request included coordinated releases of stockpiles.

None of the countries have offered a definitive answer.

Washington believes the world's largest consumers should send a message to OPEC that 'you've got to change your behavior.'