Oil slides on Iran nuclear talks, fresh US tariff uncertainty


By Florence Tan

SINGAPORE, Feb 23 (Reuters) – Oil prices slid 1% on Monday with the U.S. and Iran headed for a third round ‌of nuclear talks, easing concerns about a potential conflict, while President ‌Donald Trump created uncertainty for global growth and fuel demand with a new round of tariff ​hikes.

Brent crude futures slid 75 cents, or 1.05%, to $71.01 a barrel by 0055 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were at $65.74 a barrel, down 74 cents, or 1.11%.

Trump said on Saturday he would raise a temporary tariff from 10% ‌to 15% on U.S. ⁠imports from all countries, the maximum level allowed under the law, after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his previous tariff ⁠programme.

“The tariff news over the weekend has resulted in some risk aversion flows this morning, which can be viewed in the price of gold and U.S. equity ​futures and ​this is weighing on the crude ​oil price,” IG Markets analyst Tony ‌Sycamore said.

The tariff decision offset growing concerns of a military conflict between the U.S. and Iran, which pushed Brent and WTI prices up more than 5% last week.

Iran and the U.S. will hold a third round of nuclear talks on Thursday in Geneva, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said on Sunday.

Sycamore ‌said the announcement supported his view that the ​U.S. and Iran are currently engaged in a ​diplomatic game of cat and ​mouse.

“I don’t believe that the U.S. wants to attack Iran, ‌given the risks it brings in ​terms of regional destabilisation ​and, closer to home, voter discontent ahead of the November midterms,” Sycamore said.

Iran has indicated it is prepared to make concessions on its ​nuclear programme in return ‌for the lifting of sanctions and recognition of its right to enrich ​uranium, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.

(Reporting by Florence Tan; ​Editing by Jamie Freed and Sonali Paul)



Source link

  • Related Posts

    Copper Advances as US Tariff Muddle Spurs Decline in the Dollar

    The US Supreme Court last week ruled against President Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers to set reciprocal trade duties, prompting the administration to roll out an alternative 10% global…

    Xi Gains Leverage Before Trump Summit After Tariff Reversal

    (Bloomberg) — Most Read from Bloomberg Chinese President Xi Jinping is heading to the negotiating table with Donald Trump with a boost in bargaining power, after the US leader lost…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    What to know about the killing of a powerful cartel leader in Mexico

    What to know about the killing of a powerful cartel leader in Mexico

    Massive snowstorm hits East Coast: What to know

    Massive snowstorm hits East Coast: What to know

    How F‑35 Pilots Avoid Situational Blind Spots Using Helmet‑Mounted Displays

    How F‑35 Pilots Avoid Situational Blind Spots Using Helmet‑Mounted Displays

    Vera Wang’s BAFTA Opera Gloves Came With a Mitten Twist

    Vera Wang’s BAFTA Opera Gloves Came With a Mitten Twist

    Brazil does not want ‘a new Cold War’, says President Lula | Politics News

    Brazil does not want ‘a new Cold War’, says President Lula | Politics News

    Copper Advances as US Tariff Muddle Spurs Decline in the Dollar