UNITED NATIONS — U.S. President Donald Trump says he supports a possible ban on diesel exports as fuel prices reach record levels in the United States and Europe.
The proposal comes as Republican candidates in closely contested races call for limits on diesel exports, saying keeping more fuel in the country could help reduce prices ahead of the November 3 elections.
Trump said the administration should consider keeping American diesel supplies at home.
“I've said let's not send out the diesel. We make a lot of diesel ... I've called for it. I've called for it within my people,” Trump told reporters ahead of a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said officials are studying whether an export ban would be practical and whether it should cover all diesel shipments or only some of them.
Among those supporting the proposal are Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan, Iowa Representative Ashley Hinson and Michigan congressional candidate Mike Rogers.
“American fuel should stay home with Americans,” Sullivan said. “The cost of diesel is just too damn high. I'm calling for a temporary pause of American diesel exports so that we can rebuild our reserves ahead of winter and put American and Alaskan families first.”
Fuel affordability has become a major concern for voters, along with the rising cost of food and other basic goods.
The U.S. Agriculture Department has also urged the White House to address rising diesel prices, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins reportedly described the high prices as “a real concern” after speaking with Trump.
ENERGY OFFICIALS RAISE CONCERNS
Trump’s support for an export ban has drawn warnings from some members of his own administration.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the measure could create an oversupply of diesel along the U.S. Gulf Coast, prompting refiners to reduce production and potentially lowering gasoline supplies.
“If you start putting barriers on flows, pretty quickly you will reduce the production, and you'll have less supply. We need more supply, not less supply,” Wright said.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum also questioned whether an export ban would lower fuel prices. He warned that energy-producing countries could retaliate, potentially affecting states such as California that depend partly on imported energy.
Oil industry groups are likewise opposing the proposal.
Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil and Gas Association, said a ban could hurt domestic jobs, cause fuel shortages and force U.S. allies to turn to China and Russia for supplies.
Analysts say an export ban might temporarily reduce diesel prices along the U.S. Gulf Coast, but it could worsen shortages in Europe, which relies heavily on American diesel shipments.
“That would seem pretty damaging to some key U.S. allies,” said Jim Mitchell, director of oil trading analytics at Wood Mackenzie.
Trump said he would also discuss the impact of Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries during his meeting with Zelenskiy.
“It is a serious hit on the Russians. It's also a serious hit on the price of diesel,” Trump said.
The U.S. president also said the two leaders would discuss efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“I think it's going to happen,” Trump said.
