President Donald Trump is set to meet with U.S. refiners and fuel distributors to explore strategies for increasing domestic refining capacity and reducing gasoline prices.
This meeting, which includes key officials such as Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, reflects the administration's urgency to address consumer concerns over rising fuel costs, particularly as nearly half of Americans cite cost of living as their primary voting issue.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that 70% of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of this issue. The White House is focusing on immediate actions to enhance refining capacity, especially with the anticipated increase in Venezuelan crude oil imports.
Trump recently announced a deal granting the U.S. majority control over significant Venezuelan oil reserves, which is part of a broader strategy to mitigate supply disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions, such as the ongoing conflict in Iran.
The meeting will also evaluate whether any cost reductions are being effectively passed on to consumers and discuss further measures to alleviate pump prices