Trump says will not accept high oil prices, crude dips

[April 20, 2018]  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday criticized OPEC for output reductions that have helped raise oil prices and said the action would not be tolerated, as oil prices appeared set for a second consecutive week of gains.

U.S. President Donald Trump departs West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., on his way to Key West April 19, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

"Looks like OPEC is at it again. With record amounts of Oil all over the place, including the fully loaded ships at sea. Oil prices are artificially Very High! No good and will not be accepted!" Trump said on Twitter.

White House officials could not be immediately reached to comment on any action the Trump administration planned to take regarding oil or OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

After the president's tweet, Brent and WTI crude prices turned negative. [O/R]

OPEC member countries are slated to meet in June in Vienna to decide their next steps after reducing output since January 2017 in a move aimed at supporting prices.

Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia would be happy to see crude rise to $80 or even $100 a barrel, three industry sources have told Reuters, a sign Riyadh will seek no changes to an OPEC supply-cutting deal even though the agreement's original target is within sight.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey and David Alexander; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama andJeffrey Benkoe)

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