BRUSSELS – The European Union denounced the Trump administration’s threats to impose a ban on U.S. diesel exports if countries in Europe do not release emergency diesel stocks in a bid to lower energy prices.
“A ban would not be beneficial to anyone,” European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said on Oct. 2. “It would undermine our trust in the United States as a reliable partner.”
The sharp words come amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and its traditional Western allies. In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has escalated a trade war with Canada and suggested he might impose tariffs on the EU after it announced efforts to deepen ties with Ottawa.
French President Emmanuel Macron will chair a video conference meeting on Oct.
2 of leaders from the Group of Seven to coordinate efforts to bring down energy prices.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump has not confirmed if he will participate in the G-7 discussion.
Soaring fuel prices in US, Europe
Trump has explored various strategies in recent weeks to lower the soaring price of diesel ahead of November’s midterm elections. In recent days, the Trump administration has warned Brussels that it would impose an export ban if European countries do not release diesel stocks from their strategic reserves.
As one of the world’s biggest suppliers of diesel, a ban on U.S. exports would be devastating for European countries where the price of diesel is already significantly higher than in the United States.
The average price of a gallon of diesel in the United States is $6.37, according to the AAA motor club. The average price of a gallon of diesel in the EU is $9.53, according to data from the European Commission.
The effort to lower diesel prices comes amid concerns that Trump may decide to escalate the war in Iran after the midterm elections. The U.S. president has repeatedly said that he is prepared to take further military action if the U.S. and Iran fail to reach a peace deal.
Trump has repeatedly blamed the war in Ukraine and Kyiv’s strikes against Russian oil refineries for the rising cost of diesel. Energy experts, however, said that both the war in Iran and the escalation in fighting between Russia and Ukraine have contributed to higher energy prices.
Export ban controversial within White House
Several European countries held a call on Oct. 1 to discuss the threats from Washington and coordinate efforts to lower diesel prices. The meeting featured representatives from Germany, France, the European Commission, Italy, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Trump expressed support for a ban on diesel exports at the United Nations last month including a potential ban on U.S. diesel exports, but the idea is controversial within his administration.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has opposed the idea of a blanket diesel export ban, but recently suggested that European countries would soon do more to help the rising cost of diesel.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent demanded on Oct. 1 that European countries help stabilize global energy prices.
“Our European partners should accelerate delivery on their existing commitments and make additional supplies immediately available to address ongoing disruptions,” he wrote on social media. "America is doing its part. We look to our allies to match their commitments with action.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: EU rejects Trump’s diesel export ban as 'not beneficial to anyone'
