Trump pressures UK to expand drilling as Europe faces energy crunch

Europe, for its part, has struggled to adapt to energy supply changes since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has accelerated pressure on the continent to pivot from its reliance on natural gas from Moscow.

Published: April 14, 2026 10:39am

President Donald Trump on Tuesday expressed frustration with the United Kingdom over its unwillingness to expand North Sea oil production as Europe faces an energy crunch from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

"Europe is desperate for Energy, and yet the United Kingdom refuses to open North Sea Oil, one of the greatest fields in the World. Tragic!!!" Trump posted on Truth Social. "Aberdeen should be booming. Norway sells its North Sea Oil to the U.K. at double the price. They are making a fortune."

"U.K., which is better situated on the North Sea for purposes of energy than Norway, should, DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!! It is absolutely crazy that they don’t… AND, NO MORE WINDMILLS!" he added.

Trump's call for the UK to ramp up energy production comes amid fluctuations in the oil market from the ongoing disruptions to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which sees much of the global oil supply pass through the waterway.

Europe, for its part, has struggled to adapt to energy supply changes since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has accelerated pressure on the continent to pivot from its reliance on natural gas from Moscow.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.

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