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Oil Prices Face Volatility as Trump Cancels Chevron's Venezuela License and Tariff Risks Loom

Oil markets react to U.S. policy shifts, including Venezuelan sanctions and upcoming tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, while OPEC+ considers production adjustments.

An oil pumpjack is pictured in the Permian basin, Loco Hills regions, New Mexico, U.S., April 6, 2023. REUTERS/Liz Hampton/File Photo
A pumpjack operates at the Vermilion Energy site in Trigueres, France, June 14, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
Miniatures of oil barrels and a rising stock graph are seen in this illustration taken January 15, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File photo
FILE PHOTO: Storage tanks are seen at Marathon Petroleum's Los Angeles Refinery, which processes domestic & imported crude oil in Carson, California, U.S., March 11, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Bing Guan/File Photo

Overview

  • Oil prices experienced fluctuations this week, with Brent crude hovering near $73 per barrel and WTI crude near $70 per barrel after hitting two-month lows earlier.
  • President Trump's cancellation of Chevron's license to export Venezuelan crude has heightened supply concerns, potentially reducing Venezuela's oil production by 240,000 barrels per day.
  • Upcoming tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, set to take effect March 4, are expected to impact oil trade dynamics, with Canadian producers likely absorbing most costs initially.
  • OPEC+ is deliberating whether to proceed with planned production increases in April, as global supply uncertainties persist due to U.S. sanctions on Venezuela, Iran, and Russia.
  • Market sentiment remains mixed due to competing factors, including optimism over potential Russia-Ukraine peace talks and concerns about a slowing U.S. economy and rising fuel inventories.