Possible mixed movement in fuel prices next week

Metro Manila, Philippines - Motorists may see a mixed movement in fuel prices next week, the Department of Energy said on Friday, April 4, amid US President Donald Trump’s tariff policy that risks a global trade war.

Gasoline prices may rise by P0.30 to P0.70 per liter, while diesel may increase by P0.20 to P0.60 per liter on Tuesday, the DOE said in its forecast.

For kerosene, the agency said there might be no adjustment, or an increase or decrease of P0.20 per liter.

The DOE attributed the possible movement next week to Trump’s reciprocal tariffs on trading partners, which might lessen demand for crude.

“Oil prices dipped slightly as worries about the impact of the trade war on global growth outweighed concern about a hit to supply from threats by the US to impose secondary tariffs on Russian crude,” it said.

The energy department also said China’s refineries are expected to decline in March and April amid the peak maintenance season.

Oil firms have implemented price hikes in the past two weeks.

So far, there are total net increases in gasoline at P4.65 per liter, diesel at P4.45 per liter, and kerosene at P0.90, based on NewsWatch Plus calculations.