The DSR Network DSR Daily December 17: Trump’s Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers
Dec 17, 2025
Trump's recent blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers raises legal questions and potential consequences for oil markets. The team discusses the implications for U.S. strategy and the likely impact on oil prices. They also delve into the expanded travel ban seen as discriminatory, and the alarming presidential powers tied to national security claims. A revealing Vanity Fair profile adds to the tension within the administration as they reflect on the ramifications of a presidency that leaves many feeling worse off.
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Blockade Risks Global Market And Legal Crisis
- Trump's announced blockade of Venezuelan oil risks raising oil prices and destabilizing global markets.
- The move appears legally dubious under international law and could escalate military tensions in the region.
Policy As Distraction And Power Grab
- David Rothkopf argues the blockade looks like a distraction from a weak U.S. economy and carries the risk of creating a new oil war.
- He highlights that declaring terrorism is being used to justify expansive presidential power and possible military action.
Job Numbers Show Fragile Economy
- November job growth slowed sharply with only 64,000 jobs added and a rising unemployment rate to 4.6%.
- The delayed Labor Department data and federal shutdown make the figures less reliable and highlight economic fragility.