Donald Trump is expected to review a range of options as early as Monday to bring down oil prices, which have surged past $100 per barrel due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The White House is concerned that the sharp rise in oil prices could hurt U.S. businesses and consumers ahead of the November midterm elections, when Republicans allied with Trump are aiming to retain control of Congress.
U.S. officials in Washington have been discussing with counterparts from the Group of Seven major economies a possible joint release of crude oil from strategic reserves as one of several measures currently under discussion, the sources said.
Other options include restricting U.S. exports, intervening in oil futures markets, waiving some federal taxes and lifting requirements under a U.S. law called the Jones Act that domestic fuel move only on U.S.-flagged ships, among others, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Analysts have said that U.S. policy options will have little sway over global oil markets as long as the fighting blocks Middle East oil exports accounting for a fifth of global supply through the Strait of Hormuz.
“The White House is in constant coordination with the relevant agencies on this important issue, as it is a top priority to the president. President Trump and his entire energy team have had a strong game plan to keep the energy markets stable well before Operation Epic Fury began, and they will continue to review all credible options,” White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement, using the Trump administration’s name for the U.S.-Israel military operations targeting Iran.
Global crude oil prices have hit levels not seen since mid-2022, briefly touching $119 a barrel, with gasoline and other fuel costs surging as a result since the U.S. and Israeli strikes began on February 28.
The White House last week asked federal agencies to assemble proposals that could help ease pressure on crude and gasoline prices, Reuters previously reported. The deliberations involve top White House officials, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and top adviser Stephen Miller, the sources said.
Analysts and industry officials have said the White House has few meaningful tools to quickly curb rising oil prices unless authorities can restore the flow of tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that carries roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply.
“The problem is options range from marginal through symbolic to deeply unwise,” said one of the sources, who is engaged with the White House on the effort.
The turmoil in energy markets comes at a sensitive moment for the president, who has sought to keep fuel prices low as a cornerstone of his economic message to voters. A prolonged spike in oil and gasoline costs could ripple through the broader economy, raising transportation and consumer prices.
A White House plan to provide naval escorts and backstop insurance for tankers traveling the Strait of Hormuz so far has failed to significantly boost shipping traffic through the vital waterway.
(With Reuters Inputs)
Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience covering Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes that every voice matters, and journalism has a vital role to play in amplifying those voices. Sofia is committed to creating impact and shedding light on stories that truly matter. Beyond her work in the newsroom, she is also a music enthusiast who enjoys singing.
