WTI-Brent spread widens to $12 on freight costs, diesel export ban fears

WTI is trading $12 below Brent as soaring freight costs and potential US diesel export restrictions weigh on the American crude benchmark, while Brent gains on Middle East supply risks. The spread widening reflects diverging regional fundamentals, with US crude facing logistical bottlenecks and policy uncertainty. This development signals a shift in relative pricing that could impact US crude exports and refinery margins.