Economy
Brent Dips Below $70 as Trump Policies Spook Markets
By Adedapo Adesanya
Brent crude dropped below $70 on Monday, specifically losing $1.08 or 1.5 per cent to trade at $69.28 per barrel, as fears that the United States’ tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China would slow economies around the world and slash energy demand.
Also, the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures settled at $66.03 a barrel after shedding $1.01 or 1.5 per cent during the session as the wider market saw plunges after the US President, Mr Donald Trump’s protectionist policies sent jitters across major economies and the oil market wasn’t spared.
The American president has imposed and then delayed tariffs on the country’s biggest oil suppliers,Canada and Mexico, while also raising duties on Chinese goods.
China and Canada have responded with tariffs of their own but Mexico has not followed in the path of two countries, waiting to study the direction of the development before making any move.
Over the weekend, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said President Trump would not let up pressure on tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China.
Also, President Trump over the weekend declined to predict whether the US could face a recession as investors worried about a possible economic slowdown that could curtail oil demand.
On the supply front, President Trump is seeking to choke off Iranian oil exports as part of efforts to pressure the country to reduce in its nuclear programme.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that his country will not be bullied into negotiations.
President Trump also said the US would intensify sanctions on Russia if it fails to reach a ceasefire deal with Ukraine.
This is as the country is looking ways to ease sanctions on Russia’s energy sector if it agrees to end its war with Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) agreed to start increasing oil production from April.
He added that the alliance could reverse the decision afterwards if there are market imbalances in the future.
