Brent Oil Price Falls Due to 104% Tariff on Imports from China

Today, the price of Brent crude has dropped below $60 per barrel, marking its lowest level since March 2021. As shown on the XBR/USD chart, from the start of 2025, the price saw a rise of around 2.6% at the end of March 2025.

Why is oil falling?

The key driver is the escalation of the trade war. Yesterday, the US President announced the imposition of additional tariffs on trade with China, bringing the total to 104%.

The decline in Brent prices seems to reflect traders' concerns about the risks of a global recession.

Oil price forecasts for 2025 and 2026

Yesterday, analysts at Goldman Sachs released their oil price forecasts for Brent and WTI crude. They expect prices to reach $62 per barrel for Brent and $58 for WTI by December 2025. By December 2026, they anticipate a further decline to $55 and $51, respectively. However, analysts caveat that these forecasts are based on the assumption that the US will avoid a recession and that OPEC+ countries will increase their supplies.

In the event of a global economic slowdown, Brent prices could drop to $40 by the end of 2026.

Technical analysis of the XBR/USD chart today

The sharp decline in Brent prices has resulted in a forceful breach of key lows from 2024 and 2025 around the $68.68 level.

Additionally, the XBR/USD chart shows that the price continues to follow a downward channel (indicated in red), with the following levels acting as resistance (marked by arrows):

→ The upper boundary of the channel;

→ Its median (previously acting as support) – indicating the dominance of supply forces.

It is possible that the lower boundary of the channel, strengthened by the psychological level of $60.00, will provide support, slowing the bearish progress of Brent prices. However, the key factor will undoubtedly be the news flow, with sharp statements from the White House.

Traders are focusing on how China will react to the 104% tariffs announced by Donald Trump. As Reuters reports, the President stated yesterday, "We have many countries coming to us wanting to make deals," adding that he expects China to also seek an agreement.

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