US Urges Europe to Release Diesel Reserves

President Donald Trump said the United States may ask European countries to release diesel reserves as his administration seeks to curb rising fuel prices amid the war on Iran. His comments followed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s call for Europe to make additional diesel supplies available immediately to address market disruptions. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said France, Germany and Italy would be interested in cooperating with the United States to increase diesel supplies, while Energy Secretary Chris Wright expressed confidence that Europe could help ease global prices by releasing emergency inventories. European governments were coordinating on diesel measures as prices climbed on both sides of the Atlantic. US diesel reached a record $6.53 per gallon a week before the report. Separately, European Commission data showed that 12 EU member states had reached new all-time highs, including Italy, Belgium, Romania and Poland. The article’s accompanying photograph also showed Los Angeles petrol prices above $7 per gallon and diesel above $8. The high US prices have led the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers to consider restricting diesel exports ahead of the coming midterm elections. Such a restriction could affect fuel supplies abroad. France and Germany together hold more than a third of the European Union’s strategic diesel reserves, according to Reuters. EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic characterized a US diesel export ban as unexpected and warned it would harm Europe’s economy. The article does not report that the United States has formally requested a release of European reserves or imposed an export ban; it describes possible steps and ongoing coordination as governments respond to rising prices and supply disruptions.

Donald Trump has said he may ask European countries to release diesel from their reserves as his administration considers restricting US diesel exports. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has urged European partners to make existing and additional supplies available immediately, arguing that American farmers, truckers and businesses should not bear the burden of high fuel prices. The US is a major global diesel supplier, exporting an estimated 1.2 to 1.5 million barrels a day, so a ban could worsen shortages and raise prices abroad. The pressure comes amid a global fuel-price surge linked to the war in Iran, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and a Russian export ban. The issue is also politically significant in the US, where November’s midterm elections will determine control of Congress and Trump is campaigning for Republican candidates. He argues that keeping surplus diesel at home could lower domestic pump prices. UK and European officials are preparing for the possibility of export restrictions. UK Energy Minister Martin McCluskey discussed the issue with European counterparts, and a source told the BBC that coordinated preparation was prudent. The UK says it has a diverse supply and that European reserves remain from an earlier release, while the government says there is no immediate reason to fear shortages. However, it expects prices to rise further. UK diesel prices have reached a record, averaging 199.79p per litre, according to the RAC. The country imports diesel because its four refineries do not produce enough to meet demand, despite producing sufficient petrol. Diesel is particularly difficult to replace because it is used extensively in haulage and agriculture. The RAC figures cited show diesel prices rising from 142.38p per litre, while UK diesel-vehicle numbers have declined year on year.

The United States has urged European allies, especially Germany and France, to release strategic diesel reserves immediately as fuel prices surge. The request follows a sharp rise in diesel prices since the start of the Iran war: US prices have climbed more than 70% to $6.39 per gallon, while Germany’s motoring club ADAC reported an average of €2.409 per liter. Higher fuel costs have fueled public anger in the US and heightened concern among Republicans ahead of November’s midterm elections. President Donald Trump has also raised the possibility of banning US diesel exports to curb domestic price increases. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright argued that releasing European emergency stocks could bring more diesel to market ahead of harvest season and winter heating demand. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US had released 172 million barrels under an agreement among International Energy Agency members and urged European partners to fulfill existing commitments and provide additional supplies. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the US and its European partners were interested in cooperating, and noted that France, Germany and Italy have reserves. The European Commission said its energy task force would meet urgently with the IEA to assess the tight market and possible measures. EU energy commissioner Dan Jorgensen was coordinating with several European governments. EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said a US export ban would be unexpected and could have dramatic consequences for Europe’s economic performance; he and Greer agreed to stay in close contact. France’s Nicolas Forissier said he could not imagine a ban and hoped for solutions. Germany’s Economy Ministry said the IEA had not yet requested that Berlin release its diesel stocks.

The United States has urged European allies to release strategic diesel reserves immediately, arguing that additional supplies could help reduce fuel prices that have risen sharply during the war on Iran. EU member states are expected to discuss a coordinated response with the European Commission. Reports indicate that Washington particularly wants France and Germany to draw on their stockpiles. The pressure comes as President Donald Trump considers banning US diesel exports. US officials have called for cooperation, while US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer described both sides as eager to work together. However, EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said an export ban would be unexpected and could have “very dramatic consequences” for Europe’s economic performance. French trade minister Nicolas Forissier said he could not imagine such a ban and emphasized the need to find solutions, including with other countries if necessary. France’s presidency said no request to release reserves had been made during a recent meeting between Trump and President Emmanuel Macron. Macron is expected to convene a video meeting of G7 leaders in mid-October to discuss measures addressing rising fuel prices, including coordinated reserve releases. The article reports that average US diesel prices have increased by more than 70 percent since the start of the war, reaching $6.39 per gallon, according to AAA. Rising fuel costs are adding to living expenses and creating political risks for Republicans ahead of November’s midterm elections.

The article reports that the United States has urged European allies to release strategic diesel reserves immediately in an effort to bring down global prices. The request comes as fuel costs rise amid disruptions associated with the US war on Iran. According to reports cited in the article, the Trump administration is particularly pressing France and Germany to draw on their diesel stockpiles. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said European partners should speed up the delivery of commitments they have already made and make additional supplies available to address the disruptions. The European Union was preparing to discuss a coordinated response. A European Commission spokesperson said member states would meet with the Commission on Friday to consider the surge in fuel prices. The article does not report the outcome of that meeting or say whether France, Germany, or other countries agreed to release reserves. The report frames the US request against both the energy-price crisis and domestic political concerns: its subheading says high energy costs threaten to hurt Republicans at the polls. Overall, the story describes an appeal for coordinated action to increase diesel supply, alongside the imminent EU discussions, rather than detailing any measures already taken. It is a brief, largely factual account of the administration’s request and the planned European meeting.

EU member states and the European Commission are due to hold an emergency meeting on Oct 2 to coordinate a response to sharply rising diesel prices. The meeting follows a US call for European allies to release strategic fuel reserves immediately. Reports say Washington is particularly urging France and Germany to use their diesel stockpiles, as prices have climbed amid the US war on Iran and related supply disruptions. US President Donald Trump has also said he is considering a ban on diesel exports from the United States. EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic warned that such a move would be unexpected and could have “very dramatic consequences” for European economic performance. He said European and US officials had agreed to remain in close contact. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged European partners to make additional supplies available, while a US official argued that cooperation would benefit both sides by increasing refined-product supply and lowering consumer costs. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer described both sides as eager to work together. European officials emphasized the need for balanced solutions and did not confirm that France had been formally asked to release reserves. France’s presidency said no such request was made during a September meeting between Trump and President Emmanuel Macron. Macron plans to convene a video meeting of G-7 leaders in mid-October to discuss ways to address rising fuel prices, including coordination on reserve releases. The price surge also carries domestic political consequences for Trump. Average US diesel prices have risen more than 70% since the start of the Iran war, reaching US$6.39 a gallon, according to AAA. Higher fuel costs have contributed to rising living expenses and concern among Republicans ahead of November’s midterm elections.