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Today, disparate Trump policies —more muscular American diplomacy, less soft power, higher tariffs, and the quest for cheap energy — are being tested together in Venezuela. The pro-Russia, pro-China, and pro-Iran far left Maduro regime in Caracas has long been a thorn in the side of the United States in the often-neglected Latin American theater.
The first Trump Administration focused heavily on applying pressure to the country to minimize its benefits from oil exports in the U.S. American economy. Now, early in President Trump’s second term, he is reviving efforts to weaken the Chavista dictatorship by imposing secondary tariffs of 25% on all imports from countries that buy Venezuelan oil, starting on April 2nd. Additionally, on March 29th, the U.S. informed foreign partners of Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela (PVDSA), that it plans to revoke authorizations issued by the Biden Administration for them to export Venezuelan oil and byproducts, putting further pressure on Venezuela’s ability to export.
While such measures will have certainly gotten Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s attention, targeting that country’s most profitable industry may be insufficient to implement the president’s agenda.
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The Trump Administration is skeptical about green energy, to put it mildly. The remarks of U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright at CERAWeek 2025, the most influential energy conference in the U.S., summarized one of the key reasons, "Beyond the obvious scale and cost problems, there is simply no physical way that wind, solar, and batteries could replace the myriad uses of natural gas." While this statement highlights one of the limits to scaling renewables, there are still several reasons for U.S. industry to make a concerted effort to remain at the forefront of battery storage. Although currently unable to support a wholesale energy transition, battery storage can help reduce electricity costs, compete with rivals technologically, and ensure that Chinese interests are excluded when batteries are powering critical infrastructure and industries.
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Over three years after Russia invaded Ukraine, some European countries were still reliant on Russian gas. While the war in Ukraine compelled most of the European Union to diversify its energy imports and avoid buying gas from Moscow, certain countries, whether motivated by domestic politics or geography, such as Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary, continued buying. In January 2025, Ukraine stopped allowing the transit of Russian gas to the EU via the Urengoy–Pomary–Uzhgorod pipeline (also known as the Brotherhood pipeline) after its contract expired. This has pushed Europe to continue decoupling from Gazprom.
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The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments earlier this month regarding the legality of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s intent to license a high-level nuclear waste storage site in West Texas. This is a case with potentially seismic consequences. The suit, initiated by the state of Texas and Fasken Oil, a local company, alleges that the NRC is overstepping its authority by licensing the new facility. The storage of nuclear waste has been a controversial topic in the United States for decades. This court case may decide the future of America’s civilian nuclear program and its green ambitions.
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The Trump Administration is escalating military operations against the Houthi pirates and terrorists and focusing on the future of the Iranian nuclear program. If hostilities in the Middle East are affecting oil production and transportation, especially in the Persian Gulf, and specifically in the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices may be affected.
Simultaneously, the White House is eager to show the world that its energy strategy represents a bold, dramatic shift. Energy Secretary Chris Wright delivered keynote remarks on the opening day of S&P Global’s annual CERAWeek conference, dismissing Biden’s “myopic” focus on climate change and underscoring the Trump team’s commitment to reindustrialization over deindustrialization.
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The 29th annual UN Climate Change Conference begins on November 11th in Baku, Azerbaijan. Many environmentalists are pessimistic about the conference, with the choice of Azerbaijan as the host country, China’s negotiation strategies, and the American election results.
A major Russian military buildup on the border with Ukraine has recently sparked fears of a potentially dramatic escalation in the simmering seven-year conflict between the two countries. Although tensions have eased somewhat following Moscow’s April 22 announcement of troop withdrawals, the threat of a new Russian offensive remains.
