March 18, 2026 at 15:19 EDTDaily Item
The Treasury Department is easing sanctions on Venezuela’s state oil company. It's one way the Trump administration is trying to ease oil prices that have soared during the Iran war. The U.S. issued a license on Wednesday that lets Venezuela's state-run company sell and export Venezuelan oil to U.S. buyers and on global markets. Separately, the White House says Trump will waive, for 60 days, requirements for goods shipped between U.S. ports to be moved on U.S.-flagged vessels for 60 days. That 1920s law is often blamed for making gas more expensive. Analysts and economists say the changes could help keep a lid on price increases, but said markets are expected to be fraught as long as the war continues.
