“The U.S. is the largest oil producer in the world, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money. If I had my choice and it were up to me, I’d take the oil and I’d keep the oil, it would bring plenty of money. Unfortunately the American people would like to see us come home.” – Donald J. Trump in March 2026
The United States has effectively solidified its position as the world's leading energy superpower in the 21st century. America’s oil production stood at 13.5 million barrels per day for 2025, or 16% of the global output, with a peak capacity of 18 million barrels per day.
Trump campaigned extensively for his second bid for presidency with his pitch pivoting around reversal of Biden-era restrictive policies on restricting oil & gas exploration permits as the core pivot and almost linchpin of his election campaign. The oil & gas industry moguls, however, duly lapped him up and donated millions of dollars to his election campaign and were instrumental in his return to the White House for a promise from Trump, in return, for favorable policies, laws & M&A support and Trump has delivered on that so far.
In January 2026, Trump’s dramatic regime change ops in Venezuela was intended ultimately at gaining access & control of the country’s massive oil & gas reserves, which are the largest in the world, using the U.S. military might. Now, Venezuela has been exporting almost 1 million bpd (as of April 2026) of crude to America worth $2 billion under a new framework agreement, as per which, American refineries are refining it.
In Iran, the shift from Op Epic Fury to Op Economic Fury, with the ongoing naval blockade of Iranian ports, however, has also turned into an economic windfall & opportunity for the American oil & gas industry given that a large number of Asian refiners are now turning to American crude which is being now routed via the Panama Canal even at a sizable premium and significant transit costs.
Gulf’s loss, thus, clearly is America’s gain, whether incidental or meticulously orchestrated. However, after abandoning Europeans, America’s traditional & long standing allies since post WW2, earlier this year with almost a heartbreaking betrayal; this, seemingly, has been Trump’s latest backstabbing & energy coup on America’s Gulf allies with his incisive economic spear disguised as geopolitics...
