Oil Prices Slide Under Trade and Inventory Pressures

WTI crude oil traded between a high of $68.34 and low of $64.11 before reaching $66.28 as of Thursday's close, down $0.86 or -1.28%. The price action reflected competing fundamental forces: escalating geopolitical tensions that initially supported prices, followed by trade policy uncertainties and mixed inventory data that pressured the market lower. Geopolitical Tensions Drive Early Week Strength The period began with significant geopolitical risk as President Trump prepared statements on Russia with direct oil supply implications. Trump confirmed…