Los precios de la gasolina en EE. UU. aumentan bajo el conflicto en Irán. Trump: No estoy preocupado, ¡no tengo intención de usar las reservas estratégicas de petróleo!

Local time on Thursday, President Trump stated in an interview that he is not worried about the escalation of conflict with Iran leading to higher gasoline prices in the United States, and he said that U.S. military action is his top priority.

When asked about rising gas prices at the pump, he responded: “I’m not worried at all. Once this is over, gas prices will drop quickly. If they go up, so be it. But this (military action against Iran) is much more important than a slight increase in gasoline prices.”

Trump also said he has no intention of using the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (the world’s largest emergency crude oil reserve), and he believes the Strait of Hormuz (a key oil transit route near Iran) will remain open.

This is not the first time Trump has made such remarks. On Tuesday, when hosting German Chancellor Merkel in the Oval Office, he told reporters that after ending hostilities with Iran, the current high oil prices would fall back.

He admitted that “in the short term, oil prices will stay high,” but added: “Once this situation ends, I believe oil prices will decline, even falling below previous levels.”

This statement marks a shift in Trump’s tone. Just last month, he was loudly promoting falling gasoline prices in his State of the Union address; and last Saturday, a few hours before the U.S. launched airstrikes, he was also touting lower oil prices at a energy-focused rally in Texas.

As Trump made these remarks, U.S. gasoline prices were rising sharply. According to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA), on Thursday, the national average gasoline price was $3.25 per gallon, up 27 cents from a week ago and 36 cents from a month ago.

With the escalation of Middle East conflict disrupting oil supplies, international oil prices are also soaring. The international benchmark Brent crude oil price has risen above $84 per barrel, higher than about $71 a week ago.

Political analysts say that rising oil prices could negatively impact the Republican Party in the November midterm elections, where both parties will compete for control of Congress. Voters are already dissatisfied with high living costs and Trump’s economic management.

Despite Trump publicly downplaying the rise in oil prices, White House Press Secretary Karine Leavitt on Thursday said that White House Chief of Staff Sussy Wiles and Energy Secretary Kkriis Wright have contacted oil industry executives to discuss possible measures to address rising energy prices.

Another unnamed White House official revealed that the White House energy and national security team is urgently developing measures to stabilize oil prices.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said on Thursday that the Trump administration is weighing a series of options to respond to the surge in oil and gasoline prices during the Iran conflict. In an interview, he stated, “All options are under consideration,” including both immediate-impact actions and longer-term, more complex solutions.

After Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said on Tuesday that the U.S. would provide insurance guarantees and even dispatch naval escorts to ensure the smooth transportation of energy through the Persian Gulf. However, this plan has not effectively eased market concerns, and the shipping industry remains skeptical about its effectiveness.

(Source: Caixin)