US presses Europe to release diesel fuel amid ban threat
The United States is pressing Europe to release emergency diesel fuel reserves while President Donald Trump threatens a possible ban on US diesel exports, as prices soar amid the Iran war. The EU has rejected the demand, and Britain is in talks with European allies over a coordinated response.
Key Takeaways
- Trump says the US may ask Europe to release diesel reserves as he weighs an export ban ahead of midterms.
- UK diesel hit a record near 200p a litre; about a third of UK diesel imports come from the US.
- The EU has fully rejected the US demand, while Britain and EU allies held urgent coordination talks.
- US officials say European stockpile releases could ease prices before harvest and winter heating seasons.
Why is Washington pushing Europe on diesel fuel?
Donald Trump told reporters he may call on European countries to release some of their diesel reserves, saying: "We may do that. They have some diesel." The comments come as the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruption squeeze refined-fuel supplies and lift pump prices.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged Europe to make additional supplies "immediately available," arguing American farmers, truckers, and businesses should not carry the burden alone. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said he was "highly confident" Europe could ease soaring prices by drawing down emergency inventories.
According to the BBC, an export ban could flood the US market and lower domestic prices before November midterms, but experts warn it would tighten supplies overseas.
How are Britain and the EU responding?
Britain is in talks with European allies after Washington pressed Germany and France to release stockpiles or face a US export ban, The Guardian reported. UK Energy Minister Martin McCluskey joined calls with the European Commission, Germany, France, Italy, and Ireland.
Al Jazeera reported that the European Union "fully rejects" the US demand to release emergency diesel stocks. A European Commission spokesperson said there were "lots of calls, lots of meetings," including high-level US contacts, with EU states holding urgent talks on Friday.
A UK government spokesperson said: "We have a diverse and resilient supply." Chancellor John Healey called UK diesel prices "extreme" and said London was discussing how to avert a ban. For related coverage, see Future Tech & AI Wonders on BlasterPost.
What would a US diesel export ban mean for prices?
The UK relies heavily on imported diesel: over half of UK diesel is imported, and 31% of those imports come from the US. Average UK pump prices hit about 199.7p to 199.79p a litre this week, the RAC said—an all-time high, up from 142.38p in earlier figures cited by the BBC.
The US exports between 1.2 and 1.5 million barrels of diesel per day. David Fyfe of Argus Media said cutting off American supply would likely send international prices soaring. Europe produces about 70% of the diesel it consumes and holds large emergency stocks—nearly 109 million tons of crude and fuel under EU rules, with around a third in diesel-related products.
Russia has extended its diesel export ban, and Chinese refiners have reportedly halted some October fuel-product exports, adding further strain to global diesel fuel markets as winter approaches.