March 20 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's

administration is considering a plan to extend Chevron's ( CVX )

license to pump oil in Venezuela, the Wall Street Journal

reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the

discussions.

During a meeting on Wednesday with Chevron ( CVX ) CEO Mike Wirth

and other industry executives, Trump expressed openness to

reversing his administration's recent order that gave the

company until early April to wrap up its Venezuela operation,

the Journal reported.

Washington is also weighing a plan to impose tariffs or

other financial penalties on countries that buy oil from

Venezuela, according to the report.

These tariffs are intended to make it harder for China or

other countries to establish a base in Venezuela and to fortify

Chevron ( CVX ) and keep oil flowing to the U.S., the Journal said.

It could also force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to

the negotiating table, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told

Wirth in the meeting, which also included Energy Secretary Chris

Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the WSJ reported.

"Chevron ( CVX ) executives meet regularly with government officials

in Washington to engage constructively on issues related to our

business-both in the U.S. and abroad," a Chevron ( CVX ) spokesperson

told Reuters in an emailed response, declining to comment on the

specifics of the report.

The White House did not respond to a Reuters request for

comment outside business hours, or to the WSJ's request.