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August 14, 2025executive orderEnergy PolicyEnvironmental PolicyExecutive Ordersenvironmentenergyexecutive power

Trump opens Arctic National Wildlife Refuge drilling before Putin summit

President Trump signed an executive order opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling on the eve of his Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin. Environmental groups immediately filed suit, while energy companies began the permitting process. Critics noted the timing aligned U.S. energy policy with Russian interests by adding global oil supply that would compete with Russian exports.