Oil Prices Surge as Trade War Eases, Prompting Possible Fuel Hike by Pertamina
Main Takeaways
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JAKARTA, investortrust.id — Global oil benchmarks jumped to their highest levels in two weeks on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, after the United States and China agreed to suspend planned tariff increases. The rally has put PT Pertamina (Persero) on notice; the state-owned energy company may raise its nonsubsidized fuel prices when it next reviews them.
On Monday, Brent crude climbed US$ 1.05 (1.6%) to settle at US$ 64.96 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose US$ 0.93 (1.5%) to US$ 61.95—both marking their strongest closes since April 28, 2025. The uptick followed Washington and Beijing’s agreement to defer tariff hikes, easing a key drag on crude demand.
Pertamina’s Monthly Price Check
Pertamina conducts a routine review of its nonsubsidized gasoline and diesel prices each month, weighing global benchmarks, Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) assessments, and the rupiah-dollar exchange rate. Heppy Wulansari, Corporate Secretary of Pertamina Patra Niaga, explains that prices “can rise, fall, or hold steady depending on oil market trends and currency movements.”
As of May 2025, the rupiah traded around Rp 15,300 per US dollar, adding upward pressure to import-linked refinery margins if crude remains above US$ 60 a barrel.
May Fuel Prices and What Comes Next
In April, Pertamina trimmed several nonsubsidized fuel prices. However, should crude sustain this week’s levels, the company may reverse course when it publishes its June rates. Today’s May pricing stands at:
Pertalite (RON 90): Rp 10,000/liter
Subsidized diesel: Rp 6,800/liter
Pertamax (RON 92): Rp 12,400/liter
Pertamax Green (RON 95): Rp 13,150/liter
Pertamax Turbo (RON 98): Rp 13,300/liter
Dexlite (CN 51): Rp 13,350/liter
Pertamina Dex (CN 53): Rp 13,750/liter