Trump's Energy Agenda Under Fire: Critics Say 'America First' Is Just a Slogan

Trent Loos, a sixth-generation American farmer and radio host, has expressed frustration over the current fuel prices affecting all Americans. He questions why President Trump continues to talk about making beef more affordable for consumers while contributing to record-high fuel prices.

Loos points out that the U.S. is self-sufficient in oil production and consumption but faces a 'mismatch' due to its reliance on heavy crude imported from Canada, which is refined at 90% of Canada's production level. Meanwhile, the country's growth in oil recovery has been in light, sweet crude.

Loos also highlights that due to Trump's tariff games with Canada, Canadian oil exports to the U.S. are at risk, with China increasing its imports from Canada by 35% and LNG volumes surging 227% year-on-year in August 2026. He notes that this surge occurred after Ottawa sought energy-market alternatives following the collapse of U.S.-Canada trade talks.

Loos further criticizes the closure of several refineries, which will reduce inventories of gasoline, distillate, and jet fuel to levels not seen since the early 2000s. He also questions why the largest oil refinery in the U.S., Port Arthur, was sold to Saudi Arabia in May 2017, allowing foreign financial interests to control American resources.

Loos concludes that America First should be more than just a campaign phrase and that the nation needs to understand its dependence on foreign powers, including Saudi Arabia, which has a significant impact on global oil markets. He highlights the Trump family's connections to Saudi-connected transactions, with an estimated gain of $50 million in 2024.