While America has hit countries around the world with hefty tariffs on exports to the US, one exemption to the levies is energy.
Crude oil, natural gas and refined products will not be subject to the trade tariffs announced by Donald Trump last night on what he dubbed "Liberation Day".
Reuters columnist Clyde Russell suggests the energy import exemption is likely an attempt to curb the financial impact of the tariffs on everyday Americans by keeping energy prices low.
He writes: "But the move also adds to the dilemma facing the rest of the world in how they respond to Trump's upending of the global trading system.
"One of the best bargaining chips many countries will have in responding to the U.S. tariffs is the energy they buy, or could potentially buy, from the United States.
"The United States is the world's top exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and of refined oil products, and ranks fourth in shipments of crude oil and coal.
"One of the ways some countries have been trying to stave off tariffs is to commit to buying more energy from the United States.
"It's now questionable that any of these efforts have worked, given the blanket 10% tariffs and the higher rates of 20% on the European Union, 34% on China, 24% on Japan and 26% on India.
"These are all countries or regions that currently are major buyers of U.S. energy, or have been, or have the potential to ramp up imports.
"Will these countries now put U.S. energy imports on the table in their response to Trump's tariffs?"
Read the full article on the Reuters website here.