President Donald Trump has been deflecting responsibility for rising gas prices, instead pointing to the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, the facts suggest that the war in Iran is the main contributor to the surge in gas prices.
According to official records, the Strait of Hormuz saw a 90% drop in recorded traffic on October 4, versus roughly 130 a day before the war. This significant decrease in oil exports has led to a surge in gas prices.
“What's driving up Gasoline is no longer the Strait of Hormuz, because Record Numbers of Barrels are coming out now on an almost daily basis, but the word, ‘Refineries.’” — Trump, per Themirror
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, and it is a major route for oil exports. The war in Iran has disrupted this flow of oil, leading to a shortage and subsequent price increase. In contrast, the war in Ukraine has had a relatively minor impact on global oil supplies.
A recent report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) found that the war in Iran has reduced global oil production by 1.5 million barrels per day. This reduction in oil production has led to a surge in gas prices, as refineries struggle to meet demand with reduced supplies.
The EIA report also found that the war in Ukraine has had a relatively minor impact on global oil supplies, with a reduction of only 200,000 barrels per day. This suggests that the war in Ukraine is not the main cause of rising gas prices.
President Trump's policies have also contributed to rising gas prices. His decision to impose tariffs on imported oil has led to a decrease in oil imports, which has reduced the supply of oil available for refining and distribution. This has led to a surge in gas prices, as refineries struggle to meet demand with reduced supplies.
A recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that a majority of Americans blame Trump's policies for persistently high costs. In fact, only 17% of U.S. adults approve of the Republican president's handling of the cost of living, and just 26% approve of his handling of the economy overall, marking a new low.
The poll also found that 96% of people believe that Trump's war in Iran will cost him the midterms, while only about 4% answered no to the poll question about Trump's war in Iran costing him the midterms.
President Trump's blame game on gas prices is not only misleading, but it is also a distraction from the real issues facing the country. The war in Iran is the main contributor to the surge in gas prices, and President Trump's policies have also contributed to the problem. It is time for President Trump to take responsibility for his actions and work towards finding a solution to the rising gas prices.
Anya Kerr’s View
The latest poll numbers are telling: 96% of people believe that Trump's war in Iran will cost him the midterms. It's clear that the public is blaming the President's policies for the rising costs, not external factors like the war in Ukraine. The fact that only 17% of U.S. adults approve of the President's handling of the cost of living is a stark reminder that the White House's spin on gas prices isn't resonating with voters.
