Trump supports diesel export ban amid record US diesel prices

Donald Trump announced Tuesday his support for a proposed ban on diesel fuel exports, a measure some U.S. lawmakers have promoted as a way to temper soaring energy costs. The proposal comes as diesel prices have surged to record levels in both Europe and the United States, driven by supply disruptions linked to the wars in Iran and Ukraine that have sharply reduced shipments from major producers such as Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. A gallon of diesel in the United States reached $6.53 on Tuesday, the highest average price ever recorded and more than 75 percent above the level a year earlier.

Industry representatives, however, warned that the export ban could backfire, potentially pushing gasoline prices even higher. The trade group representing fuel marketers argued that restricting diesel exports would tighten domestic supply, raise wholesale costs and ultimately be passed on to consumers at the pump. As policymakers weigh the trade‑off between immediate price relief and longer‑term market stability, the debate underscores the broader challenges facing the U.S. energy sector amid geopolitical tensions and volatile global fuel markets.