Oil extends slide as Trump lashes China, supplies swell

Sydney: Oil extended declines in Asian trading Wednesday after President Donald Trump re-opened his war of words with China over trade and a report showed crude inventories expanded last week in the world’s biggest economy.

Futures in New York were down 0.7%, adding to Tuesday’s 2.3% drop. The American Petroleum Institute was said to report a 1.38-million barrel increase in oil stockpiles, adding to downside pressure after a hardline United Nations speech by Trump that accused China of currency manipulation, theft of intellectual property and dumping. He also took aim at Iran for its “menacing behavior.”

Meanwhile, traders are closely tracking Saudi Arabia’s progress in restoring key crude installations crippled by aerial attacks more than a week ago.