Trump Says US Will Not Ban Diesel Exports After Europe Agrees to Release Fuel Reserves

U.S. President Donald Trump has said the United States will not impose restrictions on diesel exports after several European countries agreed to release diesel from their strategic reserves to help stabilize global fuel supplies.

Speaking at the White House on Friday in response to a question from an AFP reporter, Trump said a ban on U.S. diesel exports was no longer under consideration.

"In fact, it was never really under discussion," Trump said. "But what Europe has done is a very positive step."

He added that he had encouraged European countries to release part of their diesel reserves.

"Europe has a great deal of diesel, and it will make a significant contribution to global energy supplies—and so will we," Trump said.

"We are not stopping diesel exports. We will do what is appropriate," he added.

On September 22, Trump had publicly expressed support for restricting diesel exports, arguing that such a move could help lower diesel prices for American consumers. However, analysts warned that an export ban could tighten fuel supplies in other parts of the world.

As recently as Thursday, Trump said his administration was still considering a halt to diesel exports while urging European allies to release fuel from their strategic reserves.

On Friday, the Group of Seven (G7) countries agreed to release a combined 100 million barrels of diesel and crude oil from their reserves over the next four months.

The coordinated move is aimed at easing concerns over global energy supplies following disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

The issue comes as the United States prepares for next month's midterm elections. Rising fuel prices, driven in part by the conflict and broader energy market uncertainty, have become a growing concern for American voters.

The political pressure has increased the stakes for Trump's Republican Party, which faces the risk of losing control of Congress in the upcoming elections.