Is Trump right to claim US imports 'almost no oil' via Strait of Hormuz? #StraitOfHormuz #BBCNews

President Trump asserted that the United States has achieved complete energy independence from the Middle East, stating the country doesn't need their oil or any other resources, though America remains engaged to provide assistance. Despite these claims of independence, gasoline prices across the US continue to climb, reaching an average of $4 per gallon - a full dollar increase from the previous month. The analysis reveals that while Trump's statement about minimal oil imports has some basis, approximately 7% of America's imported oil does transit through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been largely closed since the onset of the current conflict. More significantly, the global nature of oil markets means that even major producers like the United States must buy and sell at international prices, making them vulnerable to supply disruptions anywhere in the world. The uncertainty created by geopolitical tensions also drives market volatility, as demonstrated when oil prices jumped from $100 to $106 per barrel in the hours following Trump's address, illustrating how even energy-independent nations remain exposed to global energy shocks.