U.S. President Donald Trump said he supports a potential ban on diesel fuel exports as domestic prices continue to climb and pump prices reach record highs. Reuters reported that he made the remarks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
“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 said. His comments followed remarks by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said the administration was weighing how effective such a ban would be and whether it should be partial or total.
According to AAA, the U.S. national average diesel price rose to $6.5276 on Tuesday. The idea of curbing exports has been circulating since earlier this month. Representative Tim Burchett introduced a bill on the issue last week, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune has backed the proposal.
There is no unified view within the administration, however. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum oppose the measure, arguing that it would be a bad idea and could ultimately backfire. Still, the fact that lawmakers are considering an export ban points to a tight supply situation even in the world’s largest oil producer.
Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan also endorsed the idea of a temporary pause. “American fuel should stay home with Americans,” he said, adding that diesel costs are too high and that a pause would help rebuild reserves ahead of winter.
Trump’s endorsement, the report said, improves the odds of a ban moving forward. He had earlier blamed the rise in U.S. diesel prices on Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russian refineries and called on President Zelensky to stop the strikes so prices could come down.
According to the article, Russia has also imposed its own ban on diesel fuel exports following attacks on its refineries. That, together with disruptions to Middle Eastern exports amid the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran, has intensified the global diesel squeeze.
