Mississippi residents are facing higher gas prices, as a 9-cent increase pushes the average price to $3.12 per gallon. The rise marks a shift from the previous month’s declining prices and is attributed to a mix of factors, including tariffs and economic conditions abroad.
The new year has brought a spike in gas prices, reversing weeks of price drops. The 9-cent increase follows a complex chain of events, from global oil price hikes to economic changes in China.
“9 cents are too much, because even a few cents can make a big difference,” said Julie McLain, a student at Southern Miss. “Especially living in a city, the gas prices are higher than in my hometown. When I’m here I have to drive a farther distance to find the cheapest gas station around.”
Rising oil prices have contributed to the increase, reaching $74 per barrel due to heightened demand. Other factors include shifts in China's economy and U.S. sanctions on Russia and Iran. Additionally, new tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China have steadily pushed prices higher.
“Will there be some pain? Yes, maybe (and maybe not!). But we will make America great again, and it will all be worth the price that must be paid,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
The tariffs were introduced to pressure foreign governments to take stronger action against illegal immigration and drug trafficking. However, Canada has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on U.S. imports, while Mexico has vowed to retaliate. China has also responded with a 10% tariff on crude oil, among other goods, exacerbating the cost of imports.
“Yesterday was the first time I got gas in God knows how long,” said Janel Harrison, a local resident who commutes daily for work. “When I got to the station, I was like, that gas seems kind of high! In terms of the gas being affected by tariffs, I can’t afford to wait for things to blow over and get better.”
Canada and Mexico rank among the top five sources of U.S. petroleum and crude oil imports, making their retaliatory tariffs particularly impactful. In response, Trump announced that he would pause the tariffs for a month following discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
