Trump’s Venezuela Deal Leaves $100 Billion Question Unanswered

Posted on 08/31/2026
|

President Trump is framing the deal for a US stake in 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil as a victory that will lower gasoline prices and replenish depleted crude reserves. It’s far from certain the plan will lead to either during his presidency — if at all.

Trump pushed for a blockbuster move after growing frustrated that private oil companies, including ExxonMobil Holdings Corp. and ConocoPhillips, weren’t moving quickly enough to boost production in Venezuela, according to people familiar with the matter. By starting a new venture directly controlled by the US, his administration is seeking to give producers more confidence to commit to developing the 17 oil fields involved in the deal.

For more, we speak with Ellen Wald, President and Founder of Transversal Consulting & Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center.

--------

More on Bloomberg Television and Markets



Like this video? Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss any videos from Bloomberg Markets & Finance: https://tinyurl.com/ysu5b8a9

Visit http://www.bloomberg.com for business news & analysis, up-to-the-minute market data, features, profiles and more.



Connect with Bloomberg Television on:

X: https://twitter.com/BloombergTV

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BloombergTelevision

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloombergtv/



Connect with Bloomberg Business on:

X: https://twitter.com/business

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloombergbusiness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloombergbusiness/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bloombergbusiness?lang=en

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/bloomberg/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bloomberg-news/



More from Bloomberg:

Bloomberg Radio: https://twitter.com/BloombergRadio



Bloomberg Surveillance: https://twitter.com/bsurveillance

Bloomberg Politics: https://twitter.com/bpolitics

Bloomberg Originals: https://twitter.com/bbgoriginals



Watch more on YouTube:

Bloomberg Technology: https://www.youtube.com/@BloombergTechnology

Bloomberg Originals: https://www.youtube.com/@business

Bloomberg Quicktake: https://www.youtube.com/@BloombergQuicktake

Bloomberg Espanol: https://www.youtube.com/@bloomberg_espanol

Bloomberg Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/@BloombergPodcasts