US President Donald Trump has expressed support for a possible ban on diesel exports as fuel prices continue to rise amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Trump backed the proposed plan on Tuesday while speaking to reporters during a meeting with Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, in New York.
“I’ve called for that too. I’ve said, let’s not send out the diesel,” Trump said when asked about the proposal.
He added that the United States produces significant quantities of diesel and suggested that restricting exports could have an impact on domestic petrol prices.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who was also present at the meeting, said the administration was examining whether a full or partial export ban would be feasible, given the country’s overall refining capacity.
“We’re looking at whether it’s feasible in terms of the overall refining capacity and whether a full or partial ban would work,” Bessent said.
Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune had also indicated last week that he was open to a diesel export ban if it could help reduce pressure on fuel prices.
Fuel prices in the US have surged since the start of the US-Iran war in late February, with rising costs creating economic and political pressure on the Trump administration ahead of the November midterm elections.