Trump weighs diesel export ban amid price spike

President Donald Trump on September 22, 2026 said he backs the idea of a ban on U.S. diesel exports as diesel prices hit record highs. He told reporters, “I’ve said let’s not send out the diesel… I’ve called for it within my people,” indicating he has pressed advisers to consider restrictions. His remarks came during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the United Nations.

Trump linked the price surge to geopolitical tensions, citing the wars in Iran and Ukraine. He said Ukrainian attacks on Russian refining sites were “a serious hit on the Russians” and also a serious hit on the price of diesel. He added that a decision on export policy would be made quickly, saying it would come “fast one way or another,” though no immediate change was announced.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration is examining whether a diesel export ban is workable. He stated that officials are assessing feasibility “in terms of the overall refining capacity and whether a full or partial ban would work.” This indicates that both the scale of any restriction and its impact on refinery operations are under review.

Bessent’s comments underscore that the proposal remains at the evaluation stage. The administration is weighing how export limits might interact with existing refinery output and whether domestic supply could be maintained under a full or partial ban. No timeline for a final decision was provided in his remarks.

The policy debate is unfolding against the backdrop of record-high diesel prices in the United States and Europe. Coverage linked these price levels to disruptions tied to the wars in Iran and Ukraine, which have affected global fuel markets. The high costs have drawn particular concern from farmers and truckers who depend heavily on diesel.

Republican lawmakers and some Senate candidates have urged the administration to consider an export ban to relieve this cost pressure. Named supporters include Senator Chuck Grassley and Representative Ashley Hinson. Their calls frame export restrictions as a potential tool to lower domestic prices ahead of key political contests.

Industry groups have pushed back against the idea of a diesel export ban. The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers trade group argued that halting exports would likely backfire. It said such a move would force domestic refiners to reduce production, since they could no longer ship surplus diesel abroad.

The group also warned that “producing less diesel also means producing less gasoline,” highlighting the interconnected nature of fuel output. From this perspective, an export ban could tighten supplies of both diesel and gasoline rather than delivering sustained relief to consumers. These concerns add another layer to the administration’s feasibility review.