The White House on Monday said that it is “really important” that Americans understand that sky-rocketing gas prices are a “global challenge” while reminding them that the cost of fuel is even higher in countries like Canada and Germany.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre made the remarks during a press briefing when asked if President Joe Biden’s administration is working on any new initiatives or policies that might be put in place if prices continue to surge across the nation.
During the briefing, the press secretary pointed to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine which has further exacerbated the price of gas following the economic rebound in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Look, you know, if you look at what happened when Putin started amassing troops on the border with Russia, the price of gas has increased by $1.51,” Jean-Pierre said.
“And I also want to add—because this is really important so that people understand and flag that similar issues are happening around the world—in the EU, gas is $8.15 per gallon. It has increased by $1.74. In Germany, gas is $8.88 per gallon. It has increased $2.16. In Canada, gas is $6.23 per gallon. It has increased $1.93. And all of this has happened since December of 2021. This is a global challenge.”
Jean-Pierre added that soaring prices at the pump are “something that everyone is feeling across the globe” while acknowledging that “these gas prices, including food prices in particular” are impacting families, “especially as they sit around their kitchen table.”
The Biden administration is “fighting inflation in every way that we can” she further stated.
Her comments come after data released over the weekend showed that the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in the United States has more than doubled during Biden’s presidency.
When Biden took office on Jan. 20, 2021, the average price for a gallon of regular-grade gasoline stood at $2.39, according to AAA. But as of June 7, Americans are paying $4.865 per gallon.
