Oil Prices Rebound Slightly Amid US-China Trade Tensions and Surging Crude Inventories

Oil prices edged higher in Asian trading on Thursday, recovering slightly from sharp losses as traders assessed escalating U.S.-China trade tensions and surging U.S. crude stockpiles.

At 20:51 ET (01:51 GMT), Brent crude futures rose 0.2% to $74.75 per barrel, while WTI crude futures for March delivery increased 0.2% to $70.91 per barrel. This follows a 2% decline on Wednesday, with prices down 3.5% for the week, weighed by weak demand signals.

The White House’s 10% tariff on Chinese imports and Beijing’s retaliatory duties on U.S. crude, LNG, and coal have raised concerns over global oil demand. China, a major importer of American crude, had been purchasing about 1 million barrels per day, but the new tariffs could disrupt trade flows. Meanwhile, the U.S. tightened sanctions on Iran, aiming to reduce its oil exports to zero. Although this could limit global supply, its effect is being overshadowed by demand concerns.

Adding to bearish sentiment, U.S. crude inventories surged by 8.7 million barrels last week, significantly exceeding analysts’ expectations of a 2.4 million barrel increase, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Higher inventories indicate supply is outpacing consumption, pressuring oil prices further.

Gasoline stocks also climbed, while distillate inventories declined, signaling sluggish demand in the petroleum sector. Prices hit their lowest settlement of the year on Wednesday, reflecting a complex mix of supply constraints and demand uncertainties.

Analysts suggest continued volatility as traders weigh trade policies, inventory data, and broader economic conditions affecting global oil markets.