US energy stocks surge after Trump unveils plan to control Venezuelan oil

WASHINGTON – Major U.S. energy stocks surged Monday following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a plan for American companies to take control of Venezuela’s oil industry.

The move follows the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro. While current market oversupply may prevent an immediate impact on crude prices, analysts at JP Morgan said the plan could reshape global energy markets by potentially giving the U.S. control over approximately 30% of the world’s oil reserves.

Venezuela’s oil sector is currently in a state of decay, but experts believe production could recover quickly with significant investment. However, analysts also warned of a difficult road ahead, citing political instability, relatively low oil prices, and the massive infrastructure costs required to modernize the country’s facilities.

Oilfield service providers led the market gains, with SLB and Halliburton shares jumping 7% to 8%. Refining companies Valero and Marathon Petroleum rose between 5% and 6%, while industry giants ExxonMobil and Chevron saw increases of 2% to 4%.

The Trump administration’s push to install U.S. corporate control over Venezuela’s crude reserves—the largest on the planet—marks a watershed moment in global energy geopolitics. This strategy represents a high-stakes operationalization of the "America First" doctrine, aimed at cementing the United States’ position not merely as a leading producer, but as the preeminent steward of global strategic supply.

By bridging the domestic shale revolution with Venezuela’s massive resource base, Washington is positioning itself to systematically erode the market-fixing power of OPEC+. Such a consolidation would grant the U.S. unprecedented leverage over international pricing mechanisms. However, Wall Street’s initial optimism may be premature. Analysts warn that the "political risk" premium remains high; the astronomical costs of rehabilitating Venezuela’s dilapidated energy infrastructure, coupled with the inevitable volatility of a post-Maduro transition, may give American majors pause before committing billions in long-term capital expenditure.

The ramifications for emerging markets, particularly Vietnam, are significant. As a net importer of refined petroleum products, Hanoi stands to benefit from a long-term bearish trend in global oil prices. Sustained price stability would provide a critical disinflationary tailwind for Vietnam’s manufacturing-heavy economy, lowering production costs and bolstering trade competitiveness. Geopolitically, the move serves as a stark signal of Washington’s readiness to employ aggressive economic statecraft to secure resource interests, a shift that will be closely watched across the Indo-Pacific.

The potential for long-term stability or a decrease in gas prices could provide a direct boost to Vietnamese-American small business owners, particularly those in the nail salon industry or delivery services where transportation costs are a significant factor. Lower overhead would help improve bottom lines for many entrepreneurs in Little Saigon and across the country. However, these economic benefits remain contingent on the actual success of U.S. foreign policy initiatives in Venezuela.