Donald Trump announced on Tuesday his support for a potential ban on diesel exports, echoing calls from several U.S. politicians seeking to lower skyrocketing energy costs. The proposal comes as diesel prices reach historic peaks across both the United States and Europe, driven by geopolitical instability and conflicts in Iran and Ukraine that have severely disrupted supply chains from major producers like Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. With U.S. diesel averages hitting a record six dollars and fifty three cents per gallon, more than seventy five percent higher than last year, pressure has mounted to keep more fuel within domestic borders.
Speaking to reporters before a scheduled meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump stated that he had already been advocating for the measure among his advisors. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent added that the administration is currently evaluating the feasibility of such a move, specifically looking at whether refining capacity can sustain a partial or full ban without causing other systemic issues. This internal debate follows public pleas from Republican lawmakers in swing states, including Representative Ashley Hinson of Iowa, who argued that American consumers should not be forced to pay the price for foreign wars at the gas pump.
However, the plan faces significant opposition from industry experts who warn it could trigger unintended consequences. The American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers trade group cautioned that an export ban might actually backfire because domestic refiners could respond by cutting overall production. Since refinery processes are interconnected, they noted that producing less diesel often results in a simultaneous drop in gasoline production, potentially driving up prices for standard passenger vehicles alongside commercial fuels.
Beyond policy shifts at home, Trump indicated that he intends to urge President Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries. While acknowledging that these attacks deal a blow to Moscow’s economy, Trump warned they are also contributing significantly to global price spikes. He suggested that stabilizing these refining sites is necessary to cool the market while he continues to pursue a broader diplomatic solution to end the conflict in Ukraine altogether.