英国金融时报：汽油价格上涨考验美国选民的耐心！

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the impact of Donald Trump's military actions against Iran on U.S. gasoline prices, which have surged to concerning levels, creating pressure on the President and raising inflation concerns among voters [2][6]. Gasoline Price Trends - Gasoline prices have risen to $3.58 per gallon, marking a 20% increase since the onset of military actions by Trump, reaching the highest levels during his presidency [2]. - The price increase has been consistent, with gasoline retail prices rising for 11 consecutive days, driven by high crude oil prices due to geopolitical tensions [2][3]. Public Sentiment and Economic Impact - A recent Ipsos poll indicates that about two-thirds of Americans expect gasoline prices to rise in the next year, with half of the respondents anticipating negative impacts on their personal finances due to the war [6]. - Voter dissatisfaction is evident, with individuals expressing confusion over the U.S. involvement in Iran and attributing rising prices to energy companies rather than political leaders [6]. Government Response - The U.S. government has attempted to mitigate rising oil prices by releasing a record amount of stored oil and providing insurance for oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz [3][4]. - Despite these efforts, oil prices have continued to rise, with West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices increasing over 30% since late last month [3]. Future Projections - The U.S. Energy Department predicts that gasoline prices will not return to pre-conflict levels until at least the end of 2027 [9]. - Analysts from Capital Economics estimate that if crude oil prices remain high, consumer inflation rates could rise to 2.9% by March, up from 2.4% in February [9].