Who Profits from Black Gold?

Published in Tribune de Genève
(Switzerland) on 7 April 2020
by Roland Rossier (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Haley Frevert. Edited by Laurence Bouvard.
The figures are astounding. While the price of oil plummeted by 48% between January and April, the price of fuel oil fell by 20% in Geneva and Switzerland, and that of gasoline by barely 7% during the same period.

Like a chorus, oil companies explain that this difference is mostly due to taxes levied by public authorities, and also to the costs associated with the distribution of this liquid which has become politically sensitive as well as the operation of service stations. That is perfectly true. But largely incomplete.

Politicians, as well as citizens, must grease the wheels and require much more transparency from this sector.

At a time when the population is confronted by a health challenge with extraordinary reach, where death is lurking and prematurely killing dozens of people, and most sectors of the economy are preparing as best they can for the coming tsunami, the oil sector must lead by example. In particular, it must provide a more credible and detailed breakdown of the price-setting process.

As for the prevailing infernal trio, the United States, Russia and Saudi Arabia, their hunger for domination in an area that remains largely strategic is not very surprising. But, in these dramatic times, it is becoming obscene.


The figures are astounding. While the price of oil plummeted by 48% between January and April, the price of fuel oil fell by 20% in Geneva and Switzerland, and that of gasoline by barely 7% during the same period.

Like a chorus, oil companies explain that this difference is mostly due to taxes levied by public authorities, and also to the costs associated with the distribution of this liquid that has become politically sensitive as well as the operation of service stations. That is perfectly true. But largely incomplete.

Politicians, as well as citizens, must grease the wheels and require much more transparence from this sector.

At a time when the population is confronted by a health challenge with extraordinary reach, where death is lurking and prematurely killing dozens of people, and most sectors of the economy are preparing as best they can for the coming tsunami, the oil sector must lead by example. In particular, it must provide a more credible and detailed breakdown of the price-setting process.

As for the prevailing infernal trio, the United States, Russia and Saudi Arabia, their hunger for domination in an area that remains largely strategic is not very surprising. But, in these dramatic times, it is becoming obscene.


This post appeared on the front page as a direct link to the original article with the above link .

Hot this week

South Africa: Saudi Arabia Signing ‘Abraham Accords’ Spells Doom for Palestinians

Austria: Trump Instigates the Next Tariff War — Just as Absurd as Before

Spain: Trumpist Expansion in South America

Germany: Tactically Right, Morally Clear

Saudi Arabia: Washington’s Smartest Move Is To Keep Israel out of the War

Topics

South Korea: Approving Saudi Uranium Enrichment and Imposing Tariffs: The US Hits a Nerve

Poland: Trump Won’t Back Down in His Global Trade War

Japan: Argument for Dissolution of the ICC: The US Administration Is Wrongfully Exerting Pressure

Saudi Arabia: Washington’s Smartest Move Is To Keep Israel out of the War

South Africa: Saudi Arabia Signing ‘Abraham Accords’ Spells Doom for Palestinians

Germany: Tactically Right, Morally Clear

Austria: Trump Instigates the Next Tariff War — Just as Absurd as Before

Spain: Trumpist Expansion in South America

Related Articles

Austria: Iraq’s Prime Minister Squirms as Trump Professes His ‘Love’

Israel: For the US, Oil Is Thicker Than Blood

Egypt: The Switzerland Deal: A New President and a Middle East Shrouded in Uncertainty

Kenya: Why US-Israel War on Iran Hits the Kenyan Pocket 1st

Jordan: No Free Favors!