- Gasoline prices in the USA are rising sharply.
- This particularly angers Donald Trump’s supporters.
- The war in Iran is the main reason for the price increase.
- Trump promised cheap energy prices during his election campaign.
Drivers in the USA are also clearly feeling the effects of their government’s war in Iran. Since the beginning of the war, prices for unleaded gasoline had climbed by 55 cents to around $3.54 per gallon by Tuesday, as the American automobile association AAA said upon request. This corresponds to an increase of almost 19 percent. It is the first time since July 2024 that the average price broke the $3.50 mark. One gallon is equal to 3.785 liters.
The war in Iran has brought shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to a virtual standstill. During peacetime, around a fifth of the world’s traded oil is transported through the strait. The shock waves of the stop are being felt worldwide.
During the election campaign, Trump campaigned on significantly lower energy prices
The issue of gasoline prices is particularly politically explosive in the USA, especially with a view to the upcoming midterm elections in November. During the election campaign, US President Donald Trump promised to expand the production of fossil fuels such as oil and coal – and thus significantly reduce energy prices for his compatriots.
Since the beginning of the war, the US government has been looking for ways to increase supply on global markets, for example by easing sanctions on Russian oil. Government spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt tried to reassure citizens in the United States on Tuesday: “The US population can be assured that the recent increase in oil and gasoline prices is only temporary.”
Konstantin Furrer (fur) has been working for 20 minutes since 2017. Head of news desk since 2022, also a newspaper editor and member of the editorial board.
