Politics briefing

Trump says White House is 'very seriously' considering a U.S. diesel export ban

President Donald Trump said Sunday the White House is still "very seriously" considering a diesel export ban as U.S. retail diesel hovered near record highs around $6.50 a gallon. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has floated restrictions rather than an outright ban, while refiners and analysts warn curbs could backfire at home and spike European prices.

By US Brief desk · Updated 2026-09-28T05:43:00-07:00

File photo of a fuel pump at a gas station

Editor’s note: Trump Fox News quotes at Presidents Cup, AAA diesel ~$6.50 Friday (record $6.53 Sep 22), Wright 'restrictions' framing, Politico 90-day ban reporting, API Sommers statement, Morgan Stanley note, and Argus Benedict George Europe-import share follow CNBC (Sam Meredith), Sep 28, 2026, 4:24 a.m. EDT. No ban has been implemented; treat as under consideration. Older US Brief us-diesel-export-talk (Sep 24) covered an earlier float — this draft is a new politics ID focused on Sunday's on-record comments.

President Donald Trump said Sunday the White House is still considering a ban on U.S. diesel exports as retail diesel prices hover near records — a midterm-season energy move that industry groups and analysts warn could rebound on gasoline prices and European supply.

What happened: "We're thinking about it very seriously," Trump told a Fox News reporter at the Presidents Cup golf tournament in Illinois, CNBC reported. "That can oftentimes lead to a little bit of an increase on gasoline for cars, so we're looking at it very seriously. We may do it," he added. Average U.S. diesel prices hovered around $6.50 a gallon on Friday, AAA said, just below a record $6.53 on Sep 22, as the Iran war and Russia–Ukraine fighting disrupt fuel trade.

What officials and industry say: Energy Secretary Chris Wright has said the White House is weighing restrictions rather than an outright ban, CNBC noted, while Politico reported last week that aides were preparing a plan for a 90-day diesel export ban. American Petroleum Institute CEO Mike Sommers said restricting exports would "compound the problem—exacerbating refining challenges and ultimately hurting consumers," arguing the answer is "more supply and more flexibility."

Market caveats: Morgan Stanley strategists said an export curb could initially lower U.S. diesel prices "but with potentially adverse reactions downstream," including higher global diesel and a possible feedback loop into U.S. gasoline as refinery runs adjust. Argus Media's Benedict George said the U.S. has supplied about half of Europe's diesel imports in recent months and that some form of U.S. restriction would likely send European diesel prices and premiums "to a new unprecedented level" — while stressing "there is no measure yet."

Why it matters: Diesel is the midterm pressure point for farmers, truckers, and households, and the U.S. is the world's largest diesel exporter. A short-term ban would trade domestic price relief against global market blowback just as Hormuz diplomacy remains unsettled.

Uncertainty: No order has been signed. Trump himself flagged a possible gasoline side effect. Politico's 90-day plan reporting describes preparation, not a final decision. European trader skepticism that Washington will follow through is color, not a forecast.

What's next: Watch for any Energy Department or White House formal proposal, duration and product scope if restrictions appear, API and refiner responses, and European diesel crack spreads.

Method note: US Brief digests are AI-assisted from the US Brief desk. We synthesize reputable reporting with cited sources; we do not invent quotes, figures, or forecasts.

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Trump says White House is 'very seriously' considering a U.S. diesel export ban

President Donald Trump said Sunday the White House is still "very seriously" considering a diesel export ban as U.S. retail diesel hovered near record highs around $6.50 a gallon. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has floated restrictions rather than an outright ban, while refiners and analysts warn curbs could backfire at home and spike European prices.

By US Brief desk · Updated 2026-09-28T05:43:00-07:00

AI-assisted digests from the US Brief desk. Synthesizes reputable reporting with cited sources; not a wire service. Corrections welcomed.

File photo of a fuel pump at a gas station

President Donald Trump said Sunday the White House is still considering a ban on U.S. diesel exports as retail diesel prices hover near records — a midterm-season energy move that industry groups and analysts warn could rebound on gasoline prices and European supply.

What happened: "We're thinking about it very seriously," Trump told a Fox News reporter at the Presidents Cup golf tournament in Illinois, CNBC reported. "That can oftentimes lead to a little bit of an increase on gasoline for cars, so we're looking at it very seriously. We may do it," he added. Average U.S. diesel prices hovered around $6.50 a gallon on Friday, AAA said, just below a record $6.53 on Sep 22, as the Iran war and Russia–Ukraine fighting disrupt fuel trade.

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