US drivers are largely insulated from higher oil prices caused by Middle East turmoil – but only to a point
Across the US, the average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline has jumped nearly 27 cents in a week, to $3.25, and American consumers are bracing for higher prices at the gas pump as the US-Israel conflict with Iran threatens to disrupt the global oil supply.
That fear has entered the White House too, where Donald Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, is reportedly hunting for ideas to lower gasoline prices and officials are getting “screamed at” to bring good news, according to Politico.
War in oil-rich countries used to cause panic at US gas stations. Those fears have subsided somewhat as the US has become the world’s largest crude oil producer. And, despite this week’s price hikes, American consumers are somewhat insulated from the global energy shock. The supply cushion has its limits, but those limits are high: US producers can ramp up production quickly if high oil prices are sustained, and the White House is under immense pressure to keep prices low as the conflict continues.
Oh no! Who could have possibly predicted that starting a new war in the middle east would raise gas prices?
Clearly no one! Except like everyone else outside of MAGA.
White House isn’t worried at all, the US Congress in both chambers had a party line split destroying any chance of a war powers resolution and Trump is greenlighting the purchase of Russian oil and gas.
It’s just stupid all the way down. It’s stupid that gas prices are even a primary political issue in the US, and it’s really, really fucking stupid that the Trump fascists didn’t realize that bombing the middle East would be a political liability.
It’s stupid that gas prices are even a primary political issue in the US,
i agree. unfortunately, in statesia, several/many (i’m not counting right now) republican states have made major parts of their economies oil extraction and refining and they have not diversified well. said oil corporations donate primarily but not exclusively to the conservative politicians in their states, because why donate to the side that does not benefit them and these are the local corporations, not the multinational shell corps.
that’s how it happened, and i’m not entirely sure how to undo it. we’ve got plenty of oil refining in liberal states too, but because their industry bases tend to be more diversified, oil companies donate less to liberal politicians there.
*i’m using statesian definitions of liberal and conservative for ease of communication i know where the overton window is.
If those American monster pickup drivers would see fuel prices here in Europe, they would probably get seizures. Some places here are approaching 3 dollars per litre.
Maybe that is one of the reasons why American gas guzzlers don’t sell here.
You’ll have to explain to the dumbfuck that a litre is LESS than a gallon, otherwise they’ll fire back saying some ignorant shit.
I just filled up last night and it was closer to $6 per gallon, with a few places (known tourist trap spots) going up to almost $7. These are the highest I remember seeing in my lifetime, so it’s definitely leaving a lasting impression
As an aside, this was the year I was supposed to go solar and get an EV… but Trump killing the Biden credits, my timelines may have to be pushed back. But with energy prices skyrocketing due to war (or threatening to due to AI data center buildout) it feels like a more urgent need than ever
That was my plan with EVs too, and also just the selection isn’t great. The range keeps releasing on new models at lower than anticipated ratings. They were even killed Chevy’s compact car with the promise they might return to it if they ever get their new battery made. Ugh, bad years for all this.
I’m just jealous we can’t bring in those sexy cars from BYD…
plenty of choices in the wider world, it’s just America’s fear competiton
Chevy just released the new Bolt.
After driving on Irish roads, that’s not the only reason big gas guzzliers aren’t bought. Those roads are damn tight! One of the most fun experiences in my life is driving around the Ring of Kerry. Excellent country.
When I got my Toyota Tacoma (US Hiluxe) I wanted something smaller, like an old T-100, or even a Datsun 620. But sadly small trucks are no longer sold in the states because of chicken prices.
I live in an area that has more dirt roads than paved roads, and used to do a lot of camping. So the 4x4 pickup was very practical for me in my personal life. I also used it for hauling gas when I was working in the movie industry.
Now I try and walk, or use my escooter s as much as I can.
(these are $50 for 400ct on Etsy btw)
Good, the US needs to hit Europe prices to start appreciating how easy and insulated they are from the rest of the world. I genuinely hope our whole country grinds to a goddamn halt and people start gathering outside the white house with empty gas cans.
I mean, I would rather see people gathering outside the white house with FULL gas cans, but in this economy?
People who live places where gas prices aren’t subsidized ride scooters, they don’t drive brodozers…
Do you have any fucking clue how much a flag hurts fuel mileage on a vehicle??
The Coal Rollers are going to have to start using alternatives like graphite pigment dust, maybe play loud recordings of engine noises as their electric motor whirs away quietly under the hood.
I can’t wait for the price of gas to rise to $25 a gallon
I can’t wait for the knock-on effect that will have on food production, groceries, and supply chains…
I doubt they’re actually worried. Their donors are probably getting rich from this, so it’s all according to plan
@MicroWave “Largely insulted”? NYT reports gasoline prices are up 14% across USA in just a week.
you’re insulated against the 100% a week increases
I mean sure but it nearly doubled in Europe.
Get the fuck off oil already. I understand there are powerful corporate lobbying interests who benefit enormously from continued oil dependence but GOD DAMN if the US fed govt would just wake the fuck up and realize how much power there is in energy independence…
and i mean we still need oil for plastics and lubrication and shit, we just don’t really need to burn it. like wtf
No clue what “largely insulated” means. Gas near me jumped from. $2.94 to $3.69 last week and only dipped to $3.49/gal for a day.
