Oil prices edged higher in early Asian trading on Wednesday amid concerns over tighter global supply. The move came after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on countries importing oil and gas from Venezuela, a major crude exporter. Brent crude futures rose 25 cents (0.3%) to $73.27 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 28 cents (0.4%) to $69.28.
Trump’s executive order, signed Monday, allows the imposition of 25% tariffs under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act on imports from nations purchasing Venezuelan crude and liquid fuels. China, Venezuela’s largest oil buyer and a current target of U.S. tariffs, is directly impacted.
Further pressuring Venezuelan output, the U.S. extended Chevron’s license to operate in the country until May 27. Analysts at ANZ noted that losing Chevron’s presence could slash Venezuela’s oil production by 200,000 barrels per day.
Adding to bullish sentiment, the American Petroleum Institute reported a 4.6 million barrel drop in U.S. crude inventories for the week ending March 21, far exceeding analysts’ expectations of a 1 million barrel decline. Official data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration is expected later Wednesday.
However, gains were capped after the U.S. reached temporary agreements with Ukraine and Russia to pause maritime and energy-related attacks. Washington also committed to pushing for the easing of some sanctions on Moscow. Despite the deal, both Kyiv and Moscow voiced doubts about each other’s compliance.
Investors remain focused on geopolitical tensions and supply risks, with global energy markets reacting strongly to U.S. foreign policy developments and unexpected shifts in crude stockpiles.


RBI Uses $10 Billion Currency Swaps to Drain Excess Rupee Liquidity
US 10-Year Treasury Yield at 6% Emerges as New Market Risk Threshold
Japanese Bank Stocks Surge as Bond Yields Fuel Rate Hike Bets
Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High as Yen Approaches 160
Asian Currencies Mixed as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High
Asian Stocks Fall as Surging Bond Yields Rattle Markets
Germany’s 2026 Growth Outlook Strengthens on Fiscal Spending
Fed Unveils Stablecoin Rules Under GENIUS Act
Oil Prices Jump 3% as Houthi Attack Revives Supply Fears
Gold Prices Fall as Treasury Yields Rise on Fed Rate Hike Bets
US Stock Futures Fall as Treasury Yields Surge Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit
Fed’s Hammack Says Bond Yield Surge Is Not Driven by Inflation Fears
U.S. Dollar Hits Two-Month High as Oil, Treasury Yields Surge
Canadian Dollar Faces Pressure as Fed-BoC Policy Gap Widens
Soybean Futures Slip as Traders Await Trump-Xi Trade Signals
Dollar Falls as Oil Eases, Yen Jumps on Intervention Signals 



