Quote:
Originally Posted by golfing eagles
Both, for reasons already stated. But realize, we are essentially a petroleum based economy---if consumption does not increase we are either stagnant or in a recession.
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I've seen arguments why production has not increased but I've seen nothing that indicates production has decreased in the last six months.
This page has a nice set of data showing that a production increase in 2019 followed by a consumption decrease in 2020/2021 led to the "net exporter" condition. I haven't found the numbers for 2022 yet to see what they show (and they would be incomplete at this point anyway).
The US was a net exporter due to a sharp decrease in consumption in 2020 that was likely due to Covid. Not unexpectedly, production decreased in 2020 driven either by lower consumption or by Covid shutdowns in the production lines. But still, 2020 production remained close to the 2019 high and increased slightly in 2021. This level of production also supported a continued increase in exports through 2021.
I would like to find the 2022 numbers that supports the assertion that the US is now a net importer. It wouldn't surprise me too much if the recovering economy has led to an increase in consumption back to 2019 levels when we were a net importer.
There are likely several factors that are stifling increased production. But I would have doubts about a decrease in production without numbers to back it up.