The sharp increase in U.S. crude oil production over the last few years has opened a discussion on whether the long-standing ban on exports should be rescinded. The issue is complex because many conservative supporters of the market economy nonetheless are wary of allowing free trade in this particular commodity. Nonetheless, the logic of free markets works here as in other arenas: Arbitrary government restrictions on trade make Americans poorer. Ironically, in this particular case the ban on crude oil exports might actually make gasoline prices higher for Americans.
