Trump Backs Possible U.S. Diesel Export Limits Amid Tariff Tensions
No ban, timetable or Europe-specific measure has been announced. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said officials are weighing whether a full or partial restriction would work.
President Donald Trump backed possible limits on U.S. diesel exports Sept. 22, opening a new energy-policy risk as Washington confronts rising fuel prices and tariff tensions.
Trump made the remarks during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. “I’ve said let’s not send out the diesel. We make a lot of diesel,” Trump said, adding that he had discussed the proposal with advisers.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration was examining whether a restriction would be workable given overall refining capacity. “We’re examining that, whether it’s feasible in terms of the overall refining capacity and whether a full or partial ban would work,” Bessent said.
No export ban, timetable or Europe-specific measure has been announced. U.S. diesel exports reached 1.6 million barrels per day in August, with most shipments going to Latin America and Europe. The European Commission said Europe had become highly reliant on U.S. diesel in 2026 but declined to assess the impact of a possible restriction.
More than 30 U.S. business, energy and manufacturing groups urged Trump on Sept. 23 to reject limits, warning that reduced exports could force refiners to cut production and tighten supplies of diesel, gasoline and jet fuel.
