Trump Weighs US Diesel Export Ban as Prices Near Record Highs
No final policy has been announced as domestic diesel prices reach $6.285 per gallon and exports remain elevated.
President Donald Trump said Sept. 27 that the United States may ban diesel exports as domestic prices remain near record highs, a move that could tighten international fuel supplies and pressure energy-linked markets.
“We’re looking at it very seriously — we may do it,” Trump said near Chicago while attending the Presidents Cup. No final policy, duration or scope has been announced.
Trump said Sept. 22 that he had called for stopping diesel exports. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration was examining whether a full or partial ban would work given overall refining capacity.
The national average retail diesel price reached $6.285 per gallon for the week ending Sept. 11. U.S. four-week-average distillate exports stood at 1.559 million barrels per day for the week ending Sept. 18.
U.S. distillate inventories are expected to fall below 100 million barrels in September and remain below the five-year average through the end of 2026. Diesel is widely used in trucking, farming, freight and heating, making supply restrictions relevant beyond fuel markets.
