Trump demands energy producers keep oil prices down following Iran attack
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Higher oil prices would squeeze US consumers, a development that could inflict political pain on US President Donald Trump and Republicans.
PHOTO: AFP
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WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump demanded that energy producers keep down oil prices following US military strikes on Iran
“EVERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN. I’M WATCHING! YOU’RE PLAYING RIGHT INTO THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. DON’T DO IT!” Mr Trump posted on social media on June 23.
In a subsequent post, Mr Trump urged the Energy Department to “DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!! And I mean NOW!!!”
Energy Secretary Chris Wright responded in a post on X that “we’re on it”.
Iran has warned that Mr Trump’s decision to join Israel’s military offensive with attacks on its three main nuclear sites would trigger retaliation.
Tehran could close the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf that carries about a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade.
Higher oil prices would squeeze US consumers whose bank accounts have been stretched in recent years by inflation, a development that could inflict political pain on Mr Trump and Republicans.
If the strait is shut to shipping, crude could soar past US$130 per barrel, according to a Bloomberg Economics estimate.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier on June 23 that the US is “actively and closely monitoring this situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian regime would be foolish to make that decision”.
Oil on June 23 began to erase earlier gains, however, as fears began to fade of an immediate disruption of oil supplies in the region.
Global benchmark Brent initially surged to US$81.40 a barrel, but later dropped to below US$77.
Mr Trump’s directive for more US drilling cannot, on its own, spur more oil and gas development.
US oil executives have shown little appetite in recent years to dramatically boost output, with the price of West Texas Intermediate below the cost of production at some sites.
Oil companies generally are plotting investment decisions in the US based on long-term price forecasts – not the temporary spike spurred by the attacks on Iran and the fear of supply disruption in the Middle East. BLOOMBERG
