Energy

Oil falls as US-China trade uncertainty weighs

Azeri oil workers operate a large field of drilling rigs on October 12, 2003 outside the capital city of Baku, Azerbaijan.
Oleg Nikishin | Getty Images

Oil prices dipped on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to downplay reports of an imminent lifting of tariffs in a protracted U.S.-China trade war.

Brent crude fell 29 cents to settle at $62.22. The contract gained 1.3% last week. U.S. crude shed 38 cents, or 0.7%, to settle at $56.86.

Trump said on Saturday that trade talks with China were moving along "very nicely" but the United States would only make a deal with Beijing if it was the right one for America.

Trump also said there had been incorrect reporting about U.S. willingness to lift tariffs as part of a "phase one" agreement, news of which had boosted markets.

The 16-month trade war between the world's two biggest economies has slowed economic growth around the world and prompted analysts to lower forecasts for oil demand, raising concerns that a supply glut could develop in 2020.

"We expect the sideward trading to continue for the time being, with the trade conflict headlines likely to dictate the direction," Commerzbank said in a note.

Negative impact of higher oil prices are much lower for the US: Expert
VIDEO6:1206:12
Negative impact of higher oil prices are much lower for the US: Expert

Oil futures often trade in tandem with shares. Equities across the globe fell on Monday on the escalating violence in Hong Kong. Asian stocks had their worst day since August.

Underlining the impact of the trade war, data over the weekend showed that China's producer prices fell the most in more than three years in October.

Auto sales in China fell for a 16th consecutive month in October, data showed on Monday.

Investors are also concerned about excess supplies of crude, analysts said.

The oil market outlook for next year may have upside potential, OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo said last week, suggesting there is no need to cut output further.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies led by Russia meet in early December. The so-called OPEC+ alliance has since January cut output by 1.2 million barrels per day under a deal set to last until March 2020.

Lukoil, Russia's second-biggest oil producer, expects the global oil production cut deal, known as OPEC+, to be extended, its chief said on Monday.

Meanwhile, in North America, TC Energy's 590,000-barrel-per-day Keystone oil pipeline has returned to service, operating at reduced pressure with a gradual increase of volumes.