Trump Orders Investigation into Energy Companies for Alleged Fuel Price Gouging
En resumen
- US President Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Justice to investigate major energy companies, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, and BP, for allegedly "gouging" drivers by not lowering fuel prices despite a significant drop in wholesale oil costs.
- The American Petroleum Institute disputes the claim, citing ongoing supply issues.
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Por qué importa
Wholesale oil prices recently decreased from peaks reached during the US-Israel war with Iran, but US President Trump claims gasoline prices at the pump have not fallen commensurately. He believes drivers are being "gouged" by energy firms.
US President Donald Trump has said he has ordered an investigation into major energy companies, accusing them of "gouging" drivers by not cutting fuel prices after wholesale oil costs fell on global markets.
Speaking to reporters in the White House on Wednesday, Trump said "gasoline prices should be much lower at the pump" as he named Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell and BP.
His remarks come after wholesale oil prices fell from peaks reached during the US-Israel war with Iran and are now close to levels seen before the conflict started.
The American Petroleum Institute (API), which represents the oil and gas industry in the US, said fuel prices "don't move in lockstep with crude oil".
The BBC has contacted Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell and BP for comment.
"Oil prices have come down so much and we are not seeing anything at the pump by comparison the way they should be," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
"We should be, in my opinion, at $2.25 (£1.71) [a gallon] right now at the pump and we are higher than that."
Earlier, Trump posted on that he believed drivers are being "gouged" by energy firms, adding that he had ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to "immediately start looking into this".
"The price of fuel is not only national security issue, it impacts the wallet of every American. We will always commit to ensuring affordability in this nation," a DOJ spokesperson told the BBC without confirming whether an investigation had been launched.
A White House spokesperson said: "President Trump was clear all along that there would be short-term, temporary disruptions to energy markets, and that oil and gas prices will quickly fall as soon as the Iran situation is resolved.
"President Trump has a proven track record of bringing gas prices to historic lows, and the Administration continues to be laser-focused on delivering economic relief for the American people."
In response to Trump's comments, the API's spokesperson Bethany Williams said: "Our industry shares the goal of delivering relief at the pump and restoring stability to global energy markets."
She added that the conflict is "still affecting supply, refining and inventories".
Qué observar
Perspectiva de IA — posibilidades, no hechos
The Department of Justice will investigate major energy companies for alleged fuel price gouging.
Muy probable · En semanas
Preguntas abiertas
- Will the DOJ formally launch an investigation?
- What will be the findings of the investigation?
- What specific actions will the DOJ take?
