Trump Orders Stations To Cut Fuel Prices
President Donald Trump has instructed gasoline retailers across the US to reduce pump prices without delay.
He told them that declining global crude oil prices should translate into immediate relief for American motorists.
Trump issued the directive in a post on his Truth Social platform, accusing fuel retailers of keeping prices unnecessarily high despite crude oil trading at about $68 per barrel.
“Gasoline retailers must get their prices down immediately,” the President declared, urging companies to “do what they know is right” by passing lower costs on to consumers.”
He warned that his administration would not tolerate price gouging, describing the practice as illegal and cautioning retailers that those who ignored the call to lower prices could face “big problems.”
The President also suggested that gasoline should sell for about $2.50 per gallon, insisting that Americans ought to enjoy the benefits of the recent decline in global oil prices rather than to continue paying elevated prices at filling stations.
Trump’s latest intervention comes amid renewed debate in the United States over the gap between movements in crude oil prices and the cost of refined petroleum products.
Consumer groups frequently accuse retailers of failing to quickly reflect lower international prices at the pump.
Trump also turned his criticism toward California, faulting the state’s fuel tax regime for adding to motorists’ financial burden.
He argued that California’s gasoline taxes had become excessively high, claiming they were on course to surpass the value of the fuel itself if left unchecked.
According to the President, neither the Federal Government nor California residents should accept policies that kept fuel prices artificially high when crude oil prices are falling.
He maintained that consumers should not shoulder avoidable costs.
