80 countries hit emergency energy measures as Trump rattles markets
Oil and global markets are getting hit as Trump threatens Iran and 80 countries roll out emergency energy measures — bad for consumers, supply chains, and developing economies.
- Asian markets fell after Trump warned Iran that "time is ticking," stoking fears of an oil supply shock heading into summer.
- The IEA says 80 countries have put emergency energy measures in place, and poor countries can no longer afford the fuel subsidies that shielded their people from high prices.
- US gas prices are high and diesel is higher, which feeds into supply-chain costs and pushes up prices on everything.
- Borrowing costs are rising worldwide — South Korea's rail operator is hiking fares for the first time in 15 years to cover debt and energy costs.
- A new front is opening with Cuba, where US intelligence says officials are discussing drone defense plans as relations keep getting worse.
Outlook: Oil and consumer prices will likely keep rising into summer unless the Iran standoff cools, with the most pain falling on developing countries that can no longer subsidize fuel.