Business

TotalEnergies maintains fuel price cap amid Middle East conflict

TotalEnergies has reaffirmed that it will keep its price cap at the pump as long as the conflict in the Middle East persists, despite threats to withdraw the measure in light of potential taxation.

30 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: TotalEnergies maintains fuel price cap amid Middle East conflict — Archive photoPhoto: Jérémy Barande · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

The CEO of TotalEnergies, Patrick Pouyanné, stated that the company will maintain its fuel price cap "as long as the conflict lasts" in the Middle East. This measure was implemented last March, shortly after hostilities began in the region.

According to sources, this decision to maintain the cap is linked to record profits made by TotalEnergies during the second half of the year, largely due to rising oil prices.

However, Pouyanné also warned that if certain European countries impose a tax on excess profits, the price cap policy could be reconsidered. He stated that the company "will take lessons from this" and that it could mean the end of the measure.

On August 29, in an effort to be transparent about its pricing strategy, TotalEnergies reaffirmed its commitment not to increase the pump price during the current conflict in the Middle East.

Company representatives clarified that this policy is intended to protect consumers against market volatility during times of crisis. The impact of this decision on the company's future profits will be assessed based on economic circumstances.

It is worth noting that this approach aims to balance the economic interests of TotalEnergies with the needs of consumers during difficult times. The future of the measures in place remains closely linked to the evolution of the geopolitical context.

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