US says Europe should ready fuel supplies as Trump threatens diesel ban

Britain is in talks with EU partners to release additional strategic fuel reserves, including diesel, if needed, the BBC understands.

The talks come after President Donald Trump threatened to ban diesel exports from the US in a bid to reduce record prices at the pumps for Americans.

Diesel prices in the UK also hit record highs this week and are hovering just under 200p per litre, according to motoring organisation the RAC.

The US is a vital supplier of diesel to the world, exporting between 1.2 and 1.5 million barrels per day, with experts warning a ban on shipments abroad could put further pressure on prices in other countries.

"We're thinking about it very seriously," Trump said of an export ban at the weekend.

On Thursday Trump added that he may ask European countries to release some of their diesel reserves, while his Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said they should do so "immediately".

"Our European partners should accelerate delivery on their existing commitments and make additional supplies immediately available to address ongoing disruptions," he said in a post on social media.

He added that "American farmers, truckers, and businesses should not be left carrying the burden of a global diesel shortage".

本文の著作権はBBCにあります。