WASHINGTON − President Donald Trump said he supports a temporary ban on U.S. diesel exports, throwing his weight behind a proposal some Republican midterm candidates are pushing to lower prices at the pump.
Trump endorsed the idea on Sept. 22 as he responded to a reporter's question about increasing calls from Republicans to halt diesel exports as the price of diesel in the United States soars amid the war in Iran.
"Well, I've called for that, too," Trump said, while attending the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York. "I've said, 'Let's not send out the diesel.' We make a lot of diesel." The president, however, cautioned that a ban could have "a little bit of effect" on the price of regular gasoline.
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Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska, who is in a close reelection fight in a reliably red state, as well as former Rep. Mike Rogers, the Michigan Republican Senate, and Iowa Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson, the Republican Senate nominee in Iowa, have each called for a diesel export ban in recent days.
"I've called for it within my people. I've been talking about it," Trump said, though he declined to commit to a timeline for any ban.
The average price for a gallon of diesel fuel has soared above $6.50 nationally for the first time during the U.S. war in Iran, posing major challenges to farmers in the Midwest and rural communities in Alaska, which rely heavily on diesel for electricity and heating in remote areas.
In addition, higher diesel costs have resulted in increased grocery prices for many consumers because shipping companies usually make deliveries to stores in diesel-powered trucks.
Supporters of temporarily banning diesel exports argue the policy would increase the supply of diesel available to American companies, and lower prices for consumers as a result. But some experts warn it wouldn't reduce prices at the pump, noting that domestic refineries already produce more diesel than the United States consumes.
The American Petroleum Institute, the oil and gas industry's leading lobbying organization, expressed opposition to a ban on diesel exports shortly after Trump's remarks.
“Americans are hurting from rising diesel costs driven by an unprecedented disruption to global refining capacity. We understand the administration is looking at every option to deliver relief, but restricting U.S. energy exports would only compound the problem—exacerbating refining challenges and ultimately hurting consumers," Mike Sommers, the group's CEO and president, said in a statement.
Fuel prices have become a major liability for Republicans in the midterms as voters, polling suggests, blame Trump's war in Iran for the higher costs at the pump.
Trump in May expressed support for suspending the federal tax on gasoline ‒ currently 18.4 cents per gallon ‒ as another way to reduce gas prices amid the war, but he never followed through on a proposal to Congress.
Rogers, in a campaign video posted Sept. 21 on social media, said prices will "plummet" when the war with Iran is over. "But Michigan families can't afford to wait for that to happen," Rogers said. "Until this war is over, I'm calling for a temporary embargo on American diesel exports. Keep more American diesel here at home. Increase the supply available to our farmers, our truckers, and put downward pressure on diesel prices."
Sullivan told Bloomberg News he also supports a diesel export ban until the Iran war is over. Trump has predicted Iran won't agree to any deal to end the war until after the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
Trump did not say how he would seek to halt diesel exports. As he's done on many issues, Trump could try to invoke presidential emergency powers to ban exporting diesel, or he could seek congressional action.
Treasury Secretary Bessent told reporters the administration is still assessing a potential diesel ban. "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.
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says he supports a ban on US diesel exports to ease prices
