Oil prices fell on Thursday as an escalating trade battle between the United States and China outweighed upward pressure from a surprise decline in U.S. inventories of crude. Brent crude oil futures were at $69.72 a barrel by 0814 GMT, down 65 cents from their previous settlement and heading for their second consecutive weekly loss. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $61.43 per barrel, down 69 cents and set for a third week of losses. “Concerns over the ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China weighed on markets,” RBC’s Al Stanton said in a note. Heightened tensions between the world’s two biggest economies cloud the outlook for global growth and thus oil demand. U.S. President Donald Trump […]