Donald Trump pledges to target EVs, LNG exports in meeting with oil CEOs, seeks $ 1 billion as 'deal'

Former US President Donald Trump promised to reverse dozens of the Biden administration's environmental rules and policies at a meeting with top U.S. oil executives. In the same meeting, he also asked the attendees to raise $1 billion for his presidential campaign on Thursday, according to media reports.

Citing anonymous sources who know well about the Florida meeting last month, The Post stated that Republican Presidential candidate Trump told the chief executives that giving $ 1 billion would be a "deal" for them, according to the report.

The guestlist included the CEOs of Venture Global, Cheniere Energy as well as representatives from Chevron , Continental Resources, Exxon and Occidental Petroleum, it said. Representatives for Trump's campaign did not respond to a request for comment. 

However, representatives for Exxon said they had no details to share, while representatives for the other companies did not respond to requests for comments at all.

Trump, gearing up for a rematch with Biden in the upcoming presidential election on Nov. 5, has pledged to roll back many of the measures implemented by the Democratic president to combat climate change.

 
During a meeting at Trump's exclusive club, the Republican presidential candidate outlined plans to expand oil drilling leases in the Gulf of Mexico and lift drilling restrictions in the Alaskan Arctic, as reported by the Post. He also reiterated his grievances regarding wind power. 

Read More: Ford planning to offer combustion-engine, hybrid vehicles in Europe beyond 2030

Biden, on the other hand, has highlighted his administration's climate initiatives, including regulations on vehicle emissions, emphasising their dual benefits for the environment and the economy, a key point in his bid for re-election.

The United States had it’s highest oil production ever, reaching an average of almost thirteen million barrels every single day last year, despite grievances from the oil industry concerning Mr. Biden’s policies.

During that period ExxonMobil and Chevron — two of America’s main players in the energy sector — made more money than they have been able to over the past ten years.

However, Big Oil is looking forward to recording bigger earnings should Trump stage a return to the White House considering his promises to “return”. 

(With inputs from Reuters)