CONSUMER STAPLES: Consumer & Transport: Week in Review

President Donald Trump's suggestion that the US will "probably" stop buying oil from Venezuela is seen as a negotiating tactic rather than policy, Platts said.

• David Goldwyn, president of Goldwyn Global Strategies and chair of the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center's Energy Advisory Group, believes Trump is increasing pressure on Venezuela ahead of negotiations.
• Goldwyn argued that Trump's "America First" policy aims to reduce migration pressure, avoid reintroducing certain countries to Venezuelan oil control, moderate US energy prices, and prevent a humanitarian crisis.
• Trump advisors told Axios earlier in the week that the administration wants regime change in Venezuela but that “doesn't necessarily mean military action.”
• Experts are divided on whether Trump will revoke US licenses for oil companies operating in Venezuela.
• Ryan Berg, director of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, suggested licenses might be reversed but it won’t necessarily lead to the return of "maximum pressure".
• However, replacing Venezuelan crude would be complex as local US grades are misaligned with refinery needs.

EU officials are scrambling for ways to face up to the economic challenge of the U.S. under Trump.-On MNI Policy MainWire now, for more details please contact sales@marketnews.com

The DMO has announced it will be looking to sell GBP3bln of the 0.875% Jul-33 Green Gilt (ISIN: GB00BM8Z2S21) at its auction next Wednesday, January 29.