White House Weighs Ban on Diesel Exports
The US is considering restricting diesel exports to ease record domestic fuel prices. The discussion followed President Donald Trump’s support for a ban and calls from Republican candidates ahead of November. Prices have hit records as wars in Iran and Ukraine constrained global supply. The energy secretary said such a curb would not work and could raise gasoline and jet fuel prices.
No ban has been announced. On Sept. 22, Trump said he backed the idea and said he had asked advisers to examine it. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration was studying whether a ban is feasible. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the measure would not work and could raise gasoline and jet fuel prices. Average US diesel reached a record $6.53 a gallon. Of the 1.76 billion barrels of US diesel refined in 2025, about 23% were exported to other countries.
A ban would halt US diesel cargoes leaving US ports for its duration and keep those barrels onshore, reducing supply to foreign buyers. That would affect product tankers loading refined fuels and importers that rely on US diesel. Officials have given no date, scope or draft text for any measure and described a feasibility review as underway. No timeline for a decision was provided.