Thailand is approaching Russia and China amid its economic crisis.
U.S. Offers Thailand No Help with Iran War’s Fallout
The Washington Post reports U.S. offers no help with Iran war’s fallout, Thai foreign minister says
The Trump administration has not offered any direct help to Thailand, a long-standing U.S. treaty ally, as it struggles with the wide-ranging economic damage from the American-Israeli war against Iran, Thailand’s foreign minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, said in an interview with The Washington Post.
Absent support from the United States, Thailand is approaching U.S. rivals Russia and China for help.
“I think they’re aware that there are consequences from the war,” Sihasak said, referring to Trump administration officials. “But they haven’t come out to talk to us about how they can help. They haven’t approached us directly saying, ‘Oh, we understand that you have to endure the impact, and we can help you out.’”
The only gesture, he added, was President Donald Trump’s offer for countries in need of fuel to buy American oil and gas. “Buy oil from the United States of America,” Trump said during a prime-time address this month. “We have plenty.”
As the war against Iran stretches beyond two months, the cost for countries in Asia is escalating.
“Our position is that this war should not have taken place in the first place,” Sihasak said in an interview Saturday from the southern province of Krabi, where he was hosting the Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi. “We don’t want to condemn the U.S. directly. But this is something that should not have started.”
Thailand, which hosts logistics and refueling hubs for U.S. military forces in Asia, has struggled to compete against wealthier countries to afford replacements for its shipments of fuel and fertilizer stuck in the Middle East. The price of urea fertilizer, essential to Thailand’s more than 10 million farmers, has nearly doubled since the start of the war, farmers’ groups say. This month, the price of diesel reached a historic high.
Desperate to secure fertilizer before the start of the country’s planting season in May, Thailand’s minister of agriculture and cooperatives recently traveled to Moscow to negotiate with Russian officials. The country is also trying to procure Russian crude, though concerns over potential violations of U.S. sanctions have held back Thai banks from proceeding, Sihasak said.
In a call to Saudi Arabia’s crown prince last week, Chinese leader Xi Jinping criticized the disruption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — his first public comment on the fallout of the war — in what many analysts interpreted as an expression of Beijing’s rising frustration.
Sihasak said he shared the pessimism because it seems that the Trump administration’s objectives “are shifting all the time.” At one point, the goal appeared to be regime change. Now, it seems to be about ending Iran’s nuclear program.
“There’s a lot of unpredictability in the U.S. government policy,” Sihasak said. This is not limited to the war, he added. Trump’s sweeping tariff campaign has surprised many allies. His rapid dismantling of U.S. aid programs has left poor communities across the world exposed to sickness and disaster. In comparison, Sihasak said, China has presented itself as a more consistent partner to countries in Asia.
“It doesn’t mean that China doesn’t also behave as a superpower when it comes to core interests, right? But we know what those core interests are,” Sihasak said. “This is not about us taking sides in the geopolitical competition. It’s about what the U.S. is doing, which is forcing us to rethink some relationships.”
Trump has succeeded in driving many nations closer to China including Canada and Thailand.
Trump has also pushed Russia and China closer.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio should be on top of this.
So Where’s Marco Rubio?
Good question.
Citizens for Ethics notes Rubio Now Has Four Jobs.
Marco Rubio was confirmed by the Senate as Secretary of State on January 20th. On February 3rd, President Trump made him the Acting Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Then in February, Trump made Rubio Acting Archivist at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), after he fired the previous Archivist.
On May 1st, President Trump announced that Mr. Rubio would serve in a fourth role—interim National Security Advisor. This additional appointment further exacerbates the conflicts of interest created by Rubio serving in multiple roles simultaneously.
Rubio is too busy to offer allies any help or correspondence.
That must be someone else’s job now.
I am torn here on a musical tribute. Should it be Help! or Get Buy With a Little Help From My Friends.
This is a superior video.
Congratulations to Thailand on its two new friends, China and Russia. India has also turned to China and Russia.
And Canada has turned towards China.
If you never offer any help, but always make demands, you lose friends and allies.
Yet, people wonder why sanctions don’t work.
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After begging for help, and saying many nations offered help, guess what.
Trump is dismantling the US Empire faster than Ron Paul ever could.
Can’t believe this is much of a surprise to the masses.
Thailand, Vietnam and India provide the rice crop that feeds 3 billion people in Western Asia.
Fertilizer shortages and a questionable monsoon season forecast threaten a rice crop shortfall of 20 – 35%.
Combine this with fuel prices that have doubled, tripled or quadrupled ~ which prevents planting or transportation of crops/basics and you have a pending humanitarian disaster of epic proportions. Tens or hundreds of millions will die and or suffer severe food shortages.
The US only wants to help individuals with a net worth over a billion.
As opposed to the snakes, parasites, and cockroaches that are the other inhabitants of America
As long as they do not say anything negative about him
The DemocRAT party has been the party of billionaires for decades, with most NYC banking and Silicon Valley tech billionaires throwing their support behind DeomcRATs. Finally a few billionaires, due to extreme Left, anti-business DemocRAT policy, have thrown their support behind Republicans and DemocRATs are enraged, claiming Republicans are the “party of billionaires”, even though 80% of the uber-rich still support socialism, and therefore DemocRATs.
I like that Beatles video. I don’t think I’ve seen that one before. Not insinuating anything about the legendary members of the band, still my favorite, but if you liken the video to the world’s situation, it looks the US is the star of the show with China and Russia, Paul and George, just behind getting less attention. Then all the way at the back, Ringo, like the rest of the world is barely getting any attention at all. And just like the Beatles, a break appears to be ensuing. John had plenty of friends. But Taco is in dire straits. We are seeing his personality play out as it has for his whole life. He doesn’t have real friends, just acquaintances with money or people who bend to his will. He demands loyalty but gives none. And I genuinely believe he still wonders why no one likes him. He’s not a strategist, or some genius, he is just a very flawed man who is incapable of understanding basic human needs. And so while he thinks himself the star of the show, the rest of the world is “plotting”, against him of course, eye roll emoji, to take their business elsewhere. He’ll go to his grave saying it was everybody else’s fault. Only we’ll be stuck trying to repair the damage. At least the Beatles gave us a life time of amazing music in their 8 short years together.
The Beatles as musical tribute? And a very fitting analog! Instant 3-star Mishelin star awarded.
By the end of his administration it’s going to be US+Israel against the rest of the world. The premise of this alliance is some sort of magical deity returning and smiting everyone else so not sure why Iran having a nuclear weapon is an issue at all with the big guy upstairs protecting the “holy” lands. Let Iran have nukes and let the big guy sort things out.
Do worry, Trump will find a way to make things even worse.™
If President Pedo is indeed the Antichrist, Iran would be the instrument of Smiting.
It is ironic that muslims believe that Jesus will comes back from the dead outside the Damascus Mosque to lead the people against the anti christ in the west.
This happens in the end of days.
speaking of that area of the world did you know this is going on? Rebels take key military camp in northern MaliTuuareg separatists and jihadist allies step up push to overthrow junta
https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/3247922/rebels-take-key-military-camp-in-northern-mali.
Most countries want to plan for the long term and want fixed pieces for the puzzle they are trying to assemble
Trump has kicked the US out of the “reliable party” category and due to his 2 (separated) terms has shown that the longest arrangement/agreement with the US can only be 4 years
Of course they will gravitate toward more stable structures.
Why would they risk being upended every 4 years?
Trump is the best asset for Russia and China alliance building
He is their gift that keeps on giving.
The US has a lot of natural gas. We produce a lot more than we consume. To export our excess, we have been building LNG facilities, but we could still use a few more. As a result, mercifully, natural gas prices are very low in the US.
On the other hand, we do not have a lot of oil to export. We produce 13-14 mbpd. Normally we export 3-4 mbpd of light oil and import 6-7 mbpd of heavy oil. We refine 16-17 mbpd.
Because of the war on Iran, we have caused a shortage of 10+ mbpd of oil globally. For 60 days now. The US cannot make up the difference.
In the last few weeks we have increased our exports of oil to 6 mbpd thanks to releases from our SPR of roughly 1 mbpd. And from drawing down our commercial storage by roughly 1 mbpd.
So we are making up for just 2 mbpd of lost global production by drawing down our storage.
We have not increased our production. US oil companies are hesitant to do so. It takes 6-12 months of expensive work to increase production and they fear that by then the war will be over and prices might come back down.
As we draw down our storage, domestic prices are rising. Soon, our storage will be used up. And prices will rise faster.
Even if the war ended tomorrow, it will take several months to restore the lost production in the Persian Gulf. And yes, there could be a long term loss of 1-2 mbpd because of fields being damaged from forced shut downs.
In addition, there will be increased demand to refill the 500+ mb of storage that has been drawn down.
Long term this suggests higher oil prices (perhaps $80-$100 range). Though I expect a temporary big drop in prices once the war ends and the strait is opened again. So I will continue to buy the dips in oil stocks; and sell the rips.
Thanks! Any thoughts on the effects of UAE leaving OPEC?
It will allow them to pump more oil as they have unused spare capacity of 1.2 mbpd. But they can’t produce it unless the strait is open again.
Great info as usual! I was curious on how, when, if Venezuelan Oil will play a larger role in reducing oil needs abroad. I was under the impression that the deal that was struck, would allow for sale of oil to the U.S. and we are doing so (I assume), but also to help with this exact issue. Did that not come to fruition?
Thanks!
Venezuelan exports have increased from around 0.8 mbpd last year to roughly 1.1 mbpd this year. Kpler expects exports to grow to 1.8 mbpd by 2028. Not a big increase.
In a hilarious hoot on the White House, the commie socialist narco mafia oilmen from the Maduro regime were in agreement with the highly educated capitalist oilmen at ExxMob, Venezuelan oil ain’t worth much investment.
If it’s energy, and available, it will get invested in. Venezuela fits that mold perfectly.
Look at the massive Alaska oil field just found. People will happily pay for that too, so it will be invested in, extracted, and sold for profit. That may take a decade, but investments will keep coming, awaiting the prize at the end.
Natural gas prices in winter months arent cheap as evidenced by the gas utility bills across the country. This phenomena started several years ago and has gotten worse over the years.
Yes. High demand in winter months can exceed supply. Prices rise. Spring arrives. Demand falls. Prices drop.
Natural gas is still a bargain in the US. You can compare the price of natural gas to oil on an energy equivalent ratio of 6:1.
So natural gas at $2.75 equates to an oil price of $16.50. Since WTI prices are currently around $100, oil is six times as expensive as natural gas, for the same amount of energy. This is why we burn natural gas for most of our electricity generation, and almost no oil.
Another interesting item.
Currently, 96% of US semi trucks run on diesel, and 4% on compressed natural gas. I expect an increase in semis running on natural gas as it is so much cheaper than diesel. And a few (not many) to run on batteries.
Spontaneous 4th-of-July-style fireworks on nearby freeways.
Perhaps why we don’t hear much about a Tesla Truck any longer? That came and went just as fast it seemed…
A barrel of crude oil is equivalent to natural gas at about 5.6mcf and about 5.8 mcf for utility gas on an equivalent BTU basis
Typo here, Mish:
“ Congratulations to China on its two new friends, China and Russia. India has also turned to China and Russia.”
Yes – Thanks
Will fix
Even if the USA is selling oil it seems countries are seeking more politically stable sources. The process of doing business is as important to the cost or there’s more to cost than mere dollars.
They know their money goes to buy weapons that stand a good chance of being used against them.
For the same reason Europe is not buying Russian oil and gas
Europe will start buying from Russia. Trump has insulted their leadership and alienated most European people.
Elections have consequences.
Europeons believe they’re a higher form of human than Russians
– “Our position is that this war should not have taken place in the first place,” > Easy to state, when your Country is not the one with the constant chant: “Death to America” Now reverse that role, and they are begging everyone for help. Funny how this works…
– Sihasak said in an interview Saturday, where he was hosting the Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi. > You don’t say, and how convenient!
– “We don’t want to condemn the U.S. directly. > “But We Will” to get our way with China & Russia.
– Thailand, which hosts logistics and refueling hubs for U.S. military forces in Asia, has struggled to compete against wealthier countries to afford replacements for its shipments of fuel and fertilizer stuck in the Middle East. > Everyone is scrambling, but not siding with the enemy, and condemning ally’s. How can they wonder, when Countries won’t help them, when they shoot themselves in the foot?
– Desperate to secure fertilizer, Thailand’s minister of agriculture and cooperatives recently traveled to Moscow to negotiate with Russian officials. The country is also trying to procure Russian crude. > Desperate people do desperate things, and siding with your Allie’s enemies is one that does occur from time to time. Just don’t expect to be treated so well, after dumping on your friends, as it can have consequences…
– Sihasak said he shared the pessimism because it seems that the Trump administration’s objectives “are shifting all the time.” At one point, the goal appeared to be regime change. Now, it seems to be about ending Iran’s nuclear program. > It was and always has been about the Nuclear Weapons. All the other BS is just that, and aside from the real issue at hand.
– Sihasak said, China has presented itself as a more consistent partner to countries in Asia. > Let us know how that turns out for you will you please…
P.S. The money is to support, by choice, over 100,000 Refuges that they have taken in to care for. They don’t have the money or resources to do so, and have leaned on the US in the past for such. We are cutting aid to refuges in our own Country, so we would be extremely hypocritical to continue helping other Countries with there choices.
I just read today that Japan is ending a longstanding boycott and starting to import oil from Russia again.
A massive global realignment is taking place in just a few months. The USA and its pariah state “ally” Israel will be more isolated and hated than ever.
Well done, Bibi and Donald!
– A massive global realignment is taking place > Yes it is, and it does, and when energy is everything to everyone this is what occurs.
All to keep their flabby asses out of prison.
Asked & answered…
Secretary of State Marco Rubio takes on yet another job — wedding DJ
https://nypost.com/2026/05/02/us-news/secretary-of-state-national-security-advisor-and-head-archivist-marco-rubio-adds-new-job-as-wedding-dj/
Preparing for… Hmm… I wonder?
I currently live in Southeast Asia, a region that is already feeling the pain of the energy crisis.
My relatives back in the states believe that folks in Southeast Asia and around the world mostly blame Iran for this situation, or at the very least, believe that the rest of the world thinks that the USA and Iran share the blame equally. When I tell them that most people are blaming primarily and often exclusively the United States, they really struggle to grasp the idea.
The native impact that this war will have on the image of the United States will take a long very time to recover from, if it ever happens.
A little unfair on the US. It’s not like it’s an independent country. It has to do what Israel tells it.
Yes, we faced the same incredulity when reminded that nato expansionism triggered the Russian invasion of Ukraine. My US trump-loving friends are convinced history started after the US staged a coup in Iran, but before the US hostage crisis. Conveniently placing all the blame for hostilities on Iran. It’s deluded.
What exactly in our 250 year history would lead anyone anywhere to trust the American govt? Have we ever made a treaty where, when it became against our best interest, we stuck with the agreement or just discarded it like it was never signed in the first place?
We’re always the good guys in all the movies… where do they get these weird ideas?
I think if Iran made an english-speaking war movie as good as their lego memes, people may stop going to Holloywood war movies.
What cool-aid says that Iran has any blame?