Oil prices climb as US court blocks Trump tariffs
LONDON: Oil prices rose by around $1 a barrel on Thursday after a US court blocked most of President Donald Trump's tariffs, while the market was watching out for potential new US sanctions curbing Russian crude flows and an OPEC+ decision on hiking output in July.
Brent crude futures climbed $1.12, or 1.7%, to $66.02 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude advanced by $1.14, or 1.8%, to $62.98 a barrel at 0800 GMT.
A US trade court on Wednesday ruled that Trump overstepped his authority by imposing across-the-board duties on imports from US trading partners. The court was not asked to address some industry-specific tariffs Trump has issued on automobiles, steel and aluminium using a different statute.
"Markets are positive since Donald Trump got the setbacks on the tariffs," said Bjarne Schieldrop, chief commodities analyst at SEB. "That's less headwind for the global economy, so more demand for oil because the machine of the global economy moves better and faster." The ruling buoyed risk appetite across global markets, which have been on edge about the impact of the levies on economic growth. Some analysts said the relief may only be temporary given the Trump administration has said it will appeal.
"But for now, investors get a breather from the economic uncertainty they love to loathe," said Matt Simpson, an analyst at City Index in Brisbane.
On the oil supply front, there are concerns about potential new sanctions on Russian crude. At the same time, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, known as OPEC+, could agree on Saturday to accelerate oil production hikes in July.
"We're assuming the group will agree on another large supply increase of 411,000 barrels per day," said ING analysts in a note.
Chevron has terminated oil production and several other activities in Venezuela after its key license was revoked by the Trump administration in March.
US crude and gasoline stocks fell last week while distillate inventories rose, according to market sources familiar with API data.— Reuters
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