BRUSSELS – European countries held a call Oct. 1 to discuss releasing diesel stocks from their strategic reserves after the Trump administration threatened to impose a diesel export ban, two EU officials said.
The United States has pressured European countries to draw from their diesel reserves or face an export ban as President Donald Trump seeks to lower energy prices before the midterm elections in November.
“It is in Europe’s best interest to work with the United States as we pursue multiple pathways to boost the supply of refined products and lower costs for consumers,” a Trump administration official said.
A semi drives past a sign advertising the price of diesel along Interstate 5 in Williams, California, U.S., September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Fred Greaves
The Oct. 1 call featured representatives from Germany, France, the European Commission, Italy, Ireland and the United Kingdom, according to the two officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Global energy prices have skyrocketed as a result of the U.S. war in Iran and Russia’s war in Ukraine. The average price of a gallon of diesel in the United States is $6.39, according to AAA.
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Europeans are paying even more at the pump.
The average price of a gallon of diesel in the EU is $9.53, according to data from the European Commission. Before the start of the war in Iran, the average price in the EU of a gallon of diesel was roughly $7.11.
“The Commission along with Ireland as Presidency of the Council of the EU is closely coordinating with EU Member States to take stock of the situation and examine appropriate measures to tackle these high prices,” European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said in a statement.
Itkonen added that any decision to release EU strategic reserves would involve the International Energy Agency. In March, the IEA oversaw the release of 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves to address the supply disruption after the start of the war in Iran.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who has opposed the idea of a blanket diesel export ban, said on Sept. 30 that the U.S. and the EU were working on plans to lower diesel prices.
“You will hear announcements from our friends in Europe about new diesel supplies that’ll come to the market that’ll meaningfully push diesel prices down,” Wright said.
US President Donald Trump speaks to the press at the White House driveway following a luncheon for tech leaders in the East Room, in Washington, D.C., US, September 29, 2026.
Trump came out in support of a temporary diesel export ban last month, telling reporters at the United Nations that he would support such a measure. On Sept. 30, Trump said that he is still considering whether to implement an export ban.
Experts said that a temporary ban on U.S. diesel exports may not achieve the White House’s desired outcome. Some parts of the United States pay international prices for diesel.
“A U.S. ban on exporting to our own allies is very likely to backfire,” said energy strategist Clay Seigle. “That move would also send the signal that the United States has become an unreliable partner to international customers, giving up one of our biggest advantages in a world of hobbled suppliers.”
Rebecca Babin, a senior equity trader for CIBC Private Wealth, said that the release of emergency EU reserves would only lower diesel prices temporarily, with the biggest impact felt in Europe.
“Lower prices could revive some demand that high prices have curtailed, while the released stocks would eventually need to be replenished,” Babin said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Europe faces pressure from Trump to help lower diesel prices
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