They are strategically using their stockpiles. There are a lot of factors in their strategy and some of them conflict. This has an effect on the world market.
How much of their strategy is to change elections vs other concerns I don't know.
How much of their strategy is to change elections vs other concerns I don't know.
On the other hand the world might be better off if he was more constrained post mid-terms.
Frankly, in terms of countries wanting Trump to take a beating in the mid-terms, I'd put countries like Canada and most of Europe way ahead of China there.
And in terms of China's energy strategy - China is the worlds biggest net importer of crude therefore China's strategy is going to be focussed on managing that first and foremost.
I think it's the US who hoped that the oil crisis would impact China much more - this is the US making, not China.