Trump Orders Sanctioned Oil Tanker Blockade in Venezuela; US Readies New Russia Sanctions

17 snips

Dec 17, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Will Kennedy, Bloomberg News director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, shares insights on President Trump's recent blockade of Venezuelan oil tankers, a move aimed at crippling the nation's shaky economy. He examines how this pressure could potentially affect Venezuela's oil revenue. Meanwhile, John Tucker delivers quick news headlines, including fresh U.S. sanctions targeting Russia's energy sector if peace talks with Ukraine falter. Together, they explore the geopolitical landscape shaping global markets.

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INSIGHT

Blockade Aimed To Starve Maduro's Revenue

President Trump ordered a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers to squeeze Maduro's revenue and pressure for regime change.
Bloomberg notes Venezuela's oil output has collapsed about 70% over decades, limiting global market impact.

INSIGHT

Sanctions As Leverage In Peace Talks

The U.S. readies new sanctions on Russia's energy sector tied to Putin's response to a peace proposal.
Targeting vessels and traders could aim to curb Russia's oil revenue that fuels its war economy.

INSIGHT

OpenAI-Amazon Talks Could Shift Chip Dynamics

OpenAI is in talks to raise at least $10 billion from Amazon and use Amazon's Trainium chips.
A deal could value OpenAI north of $500 billion and boost Amazon's semiconductor ambitions.

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On today's podcast:
1) President Trump ordered a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers going into and leaving Venezuela, ratcheting up pressure on Caracas as the US builds up its military presence in the region. The move threatens to choke off the economic lifeblood of a country that was already under severe financial pressure. But it will have a less profound impact on global markets due to the diminished status of Venezuela’s oil industry. The OPEC member’s crude output has slumped about 70% through more than 25 years of socialist rule to less than 1 million barrels a day. It could potentially rebound if the governing regime were to change.
2) The US is preparing a fresh round of sanctions on Russia’s energy sector to increase the pressure on Moscow should President Vladimir Putin reject a peace agreement with Ukraine, according to people familiar with the matter. The US is considering options, such as targeting vessels in Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to transport Moscow’s oil, as well as traders who facilitate the transactions, said the people who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations. The new measures could be unveiled as early as this week.
3) OpenAI is in initial discussions to raise at least $10 billion from Amazon.com Inc. and use its chips, a potential win for the online retailer’s effort to broaden its AI industry presence and compete with Nvidia Corp. The deal under discussion could value OpenAI north of $500 billion and see it adopt Amazon’s Trainium chip, a person with knowledge of the matter said, asking to remain anonymous to describe private negotiations. Talks, however, are at a preliminary stage and terms could change, the person added. A deal would mark a win for Amazon’s fledgling semiconductor division. While Nvidia dominates the market for the powerful chips required to create AI platforms, developers such as Meta Platforms Inc. are starting to explore rival offerings from the likes of Alphabet Inc.’s Google.

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