US President Donald Trump has issued a direct warning to gasoline retailers across the country, demanding they lower prices immediately or face "big problems." The remarks mark a sharp escalation in the administration's campaign against high fuel costs, shifting focus from upstream producers to downstream distributors.
The threat comes as the White House intensifies its scrutiny of the energy supply chain.
President Trump previously directed the Department of Justice to launch an investigation into major oil companies, citing concerns that gasoline prices had not declined rapidly enough despite fluctuations in crude oil markets.
The DOJ probe signals a broader regulatory offensive aimed at curbing what the administration views as excessive markups along the refining and distribution pipeline.
By targeting retailers directly, the administration is attempting to bypass the lag between crude price movements and pump prices.
This approach places immediate pressure on independent station owners and large chains alike, who often operate on thin margins and have limited control over wholesale supply costs.