Today’s Daily Energy Markets Podcast explored an oil market trapped between diplomacy and disruption, as fears over the Strait of Hormuz, inflation and tightening global supplies kept traders on edge. China strategist Liao Na said the Trump-Xi summit was “damage control” rather than détente, while Gulf analyst Yesar Al-Maleki warned the region cannot afford renewed conflict with Iran. Algeria’s Choeib Boutamine cautioned that today’s oil revenue gains could quickly translate into higher inflation and import costs worldwide.