US Oil Decreases On Crude Import Conflict With China

On Monday, US oil dropped as China inflicted tensions with duties on American crude imports.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude outlooks CLc1 declined with its lowest point since April. This went to a $63.59 fall per barrel. From their previous settlement, that was below $1.23 or 1.9%.

Benjamin Lu of Singapore-based futures brokerage Phillip Futures said that the crude prices crashed as the US-China trade conflicts.

Last week, President Donald Trump pushed the $50 billion in tariffs on imports from China starting on July 6.

Meanwhile, China said on Friday that they would make slapping duties on American export such as crude oil as revenge.

“Beijing has retaliated … with its position as a top importer from the U.S. These punitive measures on bilateral trade have unnerved investors as it hurts global economic growth,” Lu said.

With Brent crude futures LCOc1 got a 76 cents decline, International oil prices likewise decreased at a $72.67 per barrel.

This was made after the reports on Russia and Saudi Arabia’s possibility of increasing their oil production.

Saudi Arabia is de-facto leading the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Since the beginning in 2017, OPEC producer and various allies including Russia have been withholding output.

To discuss decisions on forwarding production policy, OPEC Meeting will be held at Vienna on June 22.

Head Stephen Innes of trading for Asia-Pacific at futures brokerage OANDA said that industry observers are expecting a production rise.

“The magnitude and timing of the boost remain uncertain,” he added.

US-China Oil trade tensions upset $1bn monthly business

As China threatens duties on American crude imports, this will affect a $1-billion worth of business monthly soaring for the last two years.

The tension between China and the United States come to an expense for oil markets.

Oil markets have been increasing prices due to OPEC producer and allies including Russia’s voluntary supply cuts.

However, the potential decline of US crude exports in China could be beneficial to Russia and OPEC.

On Friday, Saudi Arabia and Russia mentioned that they would ease restraints on supply and increase exports.

A cut in Chinese purchases of US oil is likely to benefit Iran’s sales which Washington sanctions announced in May.

Director John Driscoll of consultancy JTD Energy Services said that China can just replace some of the US oil with Iranian crude.

“China isn’t intimidated by the threat of US sanctions. They haven’t been in the past. So in this diplomatic spat, they might just replace US crude with Iranian oil. That would obviously infuriate Trump,” he said.