The Trump administration will not restrict U.S. exports of oil or natural gas amid rising prices connected to the war in Iran, top officials said Thursday.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright posted identical statements on the social platform X, saying: 'To be clear, the Trump administration has no plan to implement restrictions on oil and gas exports.' The statements appeared aimed at calming industry concerns that restrictions could be imposed to address high energy prices resulting from the conflict.
The administration has pursued a dual approach of increasing both domestic production and exports of fossil fuels, arguing that expanded energy supply supports economic growth. The U.S. lifted its ban on crude oil exports in 2015, and domestic oil production rose dramatically through the 2010s. The administration has also supported expanding infrastructure for natural gas exports, including new liquefied natural gas terminals.
Burgum and Wright were among the officials expected to meet with oil and gas industry lobbyists during the week. Their statements came as oil prices surged amid the conflict in Iran, contributing to higher gasoline costs for American consumers.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservatives have praised the administration's decision to maintain export policies, arguing that restricting exports would harm the economy and reduce American energy dominance. Proponents say the U.S. benefits from being a global energy supplier, which strengthens the dollar and creates jobs in the energy sector.
Conservative commentators have noted that export bans historically contributed to domestic price distortions, and that lifting the 2015 ban was a bipartisan achievement that benefited American producers. They argue that restricting exports during the Iran conflict would send a protectionist signal that could undermine U.S. energy trade relationships.
Supporters of the administration's position say that increasing domestic production and exports is the best way to lower prices long-term, rather than imposing restrictions that could create supply bottlenecks. They argue that the free market approach, not government controls, will ultimately benefit consumers.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive critics have argued that the administration's approach of maximizing fossil fuel exports prioritizes industry profits over consumer costs and environmental concerns. Environmental advocates have noted that rising gasoline prices directly affect working families, and some have questioned whether export expansion contributes to domestic price volatility during international crises.
Progressives have also pointed to climate policy implications, arguing that expanding fossil fuel infrastructure locks in carbon emissions for decades. Some Democratic lawmakers have called for using strategic petroleum reserves more aggressively to stabilize prices, rather than relying on increased production and exports.
Additionally, progressive economists have suggested that export restrictions could be a tool to keep domestic energy prices lower during international disruptions, arguing that the administration has chosen industry interests over household budgets.
What the Numbers Show
The U.S. national average gasoline price was approximately $3.88 per gallon on the day of the announcement, representing an increase of about 96 cents from one month prior. The price surge coincided with the conflict in Iran, which has historically caused oil market volatility due to Iran's role in global energy supply.
The U.S. crude oil export ban was lifted in 2015 under the Obama administration after decades of restrictions. Since then, U.S. oil production has increased significantly, with domestic output rising from approximately 9.5 million barrels per day in 2015 to over 12 million barrels per day by the late 2010s, according to Energy Information Administration data.
The U.S. has also expanded natural gas exports, with multiple liquefied natural gas export terminals approved and constructed in recent years. The administration has supported additional LNG export facility approvals as part of its energy policy.
The Bottom Line
The administration's clear statement that it will not restrict oil or gas exports provides certainty to energy markets and the industry, while critics on the left argue that export restrictions could help stabilize domestic prices during international crises. The debate reflects a broader policy tension between maximizing fossil fuel production and exports versus using export controls as a tool for domestic price management.
With gasoline prices remaining elevated due to Middle East tensions, both sides will likely continue to frame the issue through their preferred lenses: progressive critics pointing to consumer costs and climate concerns, while supporters emphasize energy dominance and economic benefits. The administration has staked out a clear position that aligns with its broader deregulatory and pro-energy agenda.