Oil prices settle up at 2-week high as US, China ease tariffs

By Scott DiSavino

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices rose about 1.5% to settle at a two-week high on Monday, after the U.S. and China agreed to temporarily slash tariffs, raising hopes of an end to the trade war between the world's two biggest economies.

Brent crude futures rose $1.05, or 1.6%, to settle at $64.96 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 93 cents, or 1.5%, to settle at $61.95.

Both benchmarks notched their highest settlements since April 28.

The U.S. and China tapped the brakes on tariffs, sending Wall Street stocks, the U.S. dollar and crude prices sharply higher on hopes the world's two biggest oil consumers can end a trade war that has stoked fears of recession.

"This was a larger-than-expected de-escalation and represents an upgrade to the outlook, though the negotiation process will likely remain challenging," analysts at bank ING said in a note.

U.S. Federal Reserve Governor Adriana Kugler said the trade deal could make it less necessary for the Fed to cut interest rates to stimulate the economy. This pressured oil prices in early trading, since lower rates can boost oil demand.

In April, oil prices fell to a four-year low as investors worried the U.S.-China trade war could depress economic growth and oil demand. Also, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) decided to boost oil output by more than previously expected.

In Saudi Arabia, the biggest producer in OPEC, oil giant Aramco said it expects oil demand to remain resilient this year and sees further upside if the U.S. and China resolve their trade dispute.

In Iraq, OPEC's No. 2 producer, crude exports were on track to decline to around 3.2 million barrels per day (bpd) in May and June, which would be a significant reduction from previous months.

Oil prices gained support after Norwegian energy firm Equinor said it temporarily halted output from the Johan Castberg oilfield in the Arctic Barents Sea to make repairs.

In the Black Sea, Black Sea CPC Blend exports via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium system were on track to ease to 1.5 million bpd in May from 1.6 million bpd in April.

In Mexico, PMI, trading arm of state-owned energy company Pemex, anticipates a reduction in crude exports this year as more will be sent to local refineries, especially the new Olmeca refinery.

LOTS OF TALKS

Ongoing talks between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program could pressure crude prices, since Iran is OPEC's No. 3 producer and any nuclear deal could reduce sanctions on Iran's exports. Russian crude supply could also increase on global markets if U.S.-brokered talks result in peace between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he was ready to meet Russia's Vladimir Putin in Turkey on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump told him publicly to immediately accept the Kremlin leader's proposal of direct talks.

Trump raised the prospect of joining talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey.

Russia was the world's No. 2 oil producer in 2024, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. A deal between Russia and Ukraine could reduce sanctions on Moscow and boost the amount of oil Russia can export.

In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned Pakistan that New Delhi would target "terrorist hideouts" across the border again if there were new attacks on India and would not be deterred by what he called Islamabad's "nuclear blackmail".

India is the world's third biggest consumer of oil.

(Reporting by Scott DiSavino in New York, Robert Harvey in London, Yuka Obayashi in Tokyo and Colleen Howe in Beijing; Editing by David Goodman, Chris Reese and David Gregorio)