Trump Blames Refinery Shortages, Not Hormuz, for Gas Price Hikes
President Trump claims refinery shortages, not the Strait of Hormuz, are driving up gas prices, as prices remain elevated.
2 min read
President Donald Trump asserted on Monday that the lack of refineries, particularly in Russia and California, is the primary cause of rising gasoline prices, rather than the strategic waterway known as the Strait of Hormuz. During a series of remarks at the White House, Trump highlighted the role of refinery shortages in the current gas price situation, countering the narrative that geopolitical tensions in the region are the main factor.
Refinery Shortages and Gas Price Concerns
Trump made his comments during a press briefing on the South Lawn of the White House ahead of his departure for Joint Base Andrews. He was asked about Russian oil refineries shortly before boarding Marine One, where he reiterated his stance on the issue.
“We’ve talked about it, we have, and I think they’re slowing it down. But they are causing a lot of problems. The lack of refineries is the problem,” Trump said. He added that while the United States has a steady supply of oil from the Hormuz Strait, the country’s refining capacity is being strained due to the ongoing war and its impact on diesel production.
Gas Prices and Regional Export Data
As the conflict with Iran escalated and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slowed — a critical route for about one-fifth of global oil transport — gas prices began to rise. According to recent shipping data, Gulf oil exporters surpassed pre-war levels for about half of September. Kpler’s provisional data showed that the seven-day moving average for crude exports from the region reached 18.3 million barrels per day on September 30, with volumes exceeding pre-war levels on 14 days in September.
As of Monday, a gallon of regular gas averaged $4.37, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), which marks a slight decline of about 11 cents from the previous week.
Strategic and Economic Implications
While the Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of global oil supply concerns, Trump’s comments underscore the domestic and regional factors influencing fuel costs. His emphasis on refinery shortages highlights the growing importance of refining infrastructure in shaping energy markets, particularly amid ongoing geopolitical instability.
Source: Breitbart
