The Trump administration is considering a diesel export ban and other measures to address surging fuel prices, including voluntary export limits by refiners and expanded tax-exempt diesel sales, as global supply disruptions continue to pressure the US market.
The Trump Administration is actively considering a diesel export ban as fuel prices continue climbing across the US. President Trump stated on 30 September 2026 that conversations about blocking diesel exports happen daily, with the administration scrambling to address soaring energy costs heading into the midterm elections.
Diesel prices reached USD 6.53 per gallon just a week before Trump’s announcement, according to AAA data. Gasoline prices have surged 40% over the past year. The price spikes stem from multiple disruptions: Iran’s war affecting supply, Ukraine’s attacks on Russian energy facilities cutting exports, and lost diesel shipments from the Middle East and China.
Trump acknowledged that a diesel export ban would hurt gasoline prices but could reduce diesel costs. The administration sees Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as the primary driver of the current crisis.
The Trump administration is exploring three main approaches: implementing a blanket ban on diesel exports, securing voluntary export limits from refiners, or expanding tax-exempt diesel sales. Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed that the Middle East and China have lost significant diesel export capacity, creating widespread interruptions across global markets.
The White House has also pushed the European Union to release emergency diesel stocks to stabilise prices and requested announcements from European officials about new diesel supply commitments.
Earlier, the Trump administration stated that it is considering expanding the use of red-dyed diesel to reduce fuel costs by allowing more buyers to avoid the federal diesel tax, while several states are pursuing separate measures to lower gasoline and diesel prices.
