President Donald Trump welcomed the decision by the United Arab Emirates to withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
The move is significant because it signals a shift in global oil production strategy during a period of high energy volatility. Trump believes the departure could mitigate the price spikes currently affecting global markets.
Speaking from Washington, D.C., on April 29, 2026, Trump said the UAE's exit is "a good thing" [1]. He said the decision could help lower oil prices [2]. The UAE's departure from the organization is scheduled to become effective on May 1, 2026 [3].
The president linked the need for lower energy costs to the ongoing conflict in the region. Trump said the decision could help lower energy prices amid the war in Iran [4]. This development comes as energy markets face instability due to the geopolitical tensions surrounding the conflict.
By leaving OPEC, the UAE removes itself from the production quotas, and coordinated output targets mandated by the cartel. Trump said, "I think this move could help lower oil prices" [2].
While OPEC typically seeks to stabilize prices through controlled supply, the U.S. administration appears to favor an increase in available supply to counter the inflation caused by the war in Iran [4]. The UAE's move represents a break from the collective action of the world's most influential oil-producing nations.
“"It’s a good thing."”
The UAE's exit from OPEC suggests a strategic pivot toward independent production levels, potentially undermining the cartel's ability to maintain high price floors. For the U.S., this alignment supports a domestic policy goal of reducing energy costs to combat inflation, especially as the war in Iran creates supply-side shocks in the global oil market.
